
"oV 



















^0* 










PRICE 50 Cents. 




IHKDIft 










Pratts 

Pointers on 
the Horse 



Has been written in a brief, concise, thorough and up- 
to-date manner, and in an entertaining readable style. 

i 

To all horse owners, farmers and stablemen, this book * 
will prove of immense practical value. 

It gives clear and intelligent information how to raise. , 
to stable, care for and breed horses ; also how to cure and 
prevent diseases. 

It is the best all around book of its kind pub! shed. 
We have written it for the purpose of assisting our patrons 
to the most complete infonjiation possible. 

Pratt Food Co- 



NOTE 

In addition to this valuable book on horses, we publish the following : 

Pratts Poultry Pointers 
Pratts Pointers on Cows, Hogs and Sheep 

Both of these books can be obtained by sending a coupon taken from 
one of our packages, together with 10 cents to cover cost of 
postage, packing, etc. 

PRATT FOOD CO., 

Philadelphia. 



Pratts Famous Foods 



AND 



Veterinary Remedies 



PRATT FOOD COMPANY 

OF PHILADELPHIA 

make and sell 

Pratts Food for Horses and Cattle 

Pratts Animal Regulator 

Pratts Poultry Food 

Pratts Liquid Lice Killer 

Pratts Powdered Lice Killer 

Pratts Improved Dog Biscuits 

Pratts Veterinary Liniment 

Pratts Peerless Hoof Ointment 

Pratts Hog Cholera Cure 

Pratts Purely Vegetable Condition Powder 

Pratts Prepared Fever Powder 

Pratts Veterinary Colic Cure 

Pratts Veterinary Healing Ointment 

Pratts Specially Prepared Worm Powder 

Pratts Heave, Cough and Cold Cure 

Pratts Harness Soap 

Pratts Cow Tonic 

Pratts Calf Tonic 

Pratts Distemper and Pink Eye Cure 

Pratts Roup Cure 

Your Dealer can supply you with any of the above articles 



Pratts 
Pointers on the Horse 

INCLUDING 

BREEDING, RAISING, TRAINING, FEET, FEED, 
STABLING, DISEASES, ETC. 

CONTAINING 

VALUABLE INFORMATION FROM EXPERIENCED 

AUTHORITIES THROUGHOUT THE 

WORLD 

PUBLISHED BY 

Pratt Food Company 

Manufacturers of 

PRATTS FOODS 

The Greatest Animal and Poultry Regulators 
and Veterinary Remedies 

PHILADELPHIA, U. S. A. 

CHICAGO, U. S. A. TORONTO, CANADA 

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. DUNE DIN, NEW ZEALAND 

LONDON, ENGLAND CAPE TOWN, AFRICA 



7^ ¥-3 



^ 



Pn 



Copyright 1905 

BY 

Pratt Food Company 



PART I 
PRATTS POINTERS 

ON THE 

HORSE 



CHAPTER I. 

We will first treat on the horse and its habits, color, 
paces, coat, mane, tail, etc. 

The reader will find this a practical book for practi- 
cal people ; and arranged in a condensed, np-to-date 
form. The index in the back of the book is so com- 
plete that any desired information can be fonnd at a 
glance. 

There has been so mnch written and said abont the 
care of horses, that many readers find most articles on 
this subject have occupied their time with the result of 
only confusing them, instead of gaining the desired 
information. 

Judgment in purchasing, combined with a good 
stable, regular, systematic feeding and thoughtfulness in 
driving or working, makes the keeping of horses a 

5 



6 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

pleasure, as well as a source of profit, instead of a loss 
and worry. 



THE HORSE 
AND ITS HAB1T5 



The origin of horses is unknown ; but 
they were used in Egypt over fifteen 
hundred years before Christ ; and they 
have ever been the great helper of mankind, both in 
war and in peace. 

Their natural food throughout the world is grass 
and grain, either in a fresh or dried state, and their 
natural paces the walk and the gallop; all others are 
the result of training. 

Wild horses are still found in certain parts of the 
globe. In the wild state they depend in flight for safety ; 
but if compelled to fight use their feet and teeth effect- 
ively. 

Horses fully mature when five years old ; and the 
average age of living is from 
twenty-five to thirty years. 

All horses, especially thor- 
oughbreds, are capable of being 
educated to a wonderful de- 
gree ; and the intelligence of 
highly sensitive animals is 
marvelous. educated. 




PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



POINTS OP 
THE 

MORSE 



The proportions of horses vary in the 
different breeds ; but all breeds should 
have certain good features, such as large 



hocks and knees, open jaws and full nostrils. 



Forehead" 




Knee. 
Cannon or Shank. 



of Hock. 



large Pattern* 



POINTS OF THE HORSB. 



In purchasing, always buy that breed which is the 
most suitable for the work to be performed. This is a 



8 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



fundamental rule and should always be adhered to. It 
is simply folly to buy a light carriage horse for heavy 





THOROUGHBRED 
TAII,. 



LOWBRED 
TAII,. 



BAD PURCHASING. 

farm work or vice versa. Such purchasing has been the 
cause of many failures. 

The loins of a good horse are always bulky and mus- 
cular, which insures vigor and strength. Especially 
should hunters, racers, and saddle horses possess this 
requirement. 

The tail of a well-bred horse is always carried erect 





GOOD NECK. GOOD WIDTH. BAD WIDTH. 

and graceful, while in the lowbred the dock is com- 
pressed between the haunches. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



The neck should be of good thickness and slightly 
curved. The head broad between the eyes, the nostrils 




GOOD MOUTH AND NOSTRUM. 
BAD MOUTH AND NOSTRUMS. 




GOOD EARS. 



BAD EARS. 



full, the mouth large and the lips smooth and com- 
pressed. The ears should be broad, not too long, and 
incline slightly at the tips towards 
each other. The eyes should be 

i 




GOOD EYE. 



BAD EYE. 





GOOD CHEST, WITHERS, 
SHOULDER AND BEI.I,Y. 



of good size and have a kindly and 

intelligent expression. The chest 

should be circular, and the belly of all horses, rounded 

and well filled. A good ani- 
mal always has a deep chest, 
high withers and slanting 
shoulders. 

The legs should be straight 

GOOD PASTERN. POOR PASTERS ^ StXOX1 & ^ gOOd judges 




10 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



say the toe should touch a perpendicular line if dropped 
from the point of the shoulder. The slope of the pastern 





GOOD HOOFS. 



BAD HOOFS. 



GOOD 
WCG 




THOROUGHBRED 
HAUNCH. 



should be gradual, and the feet stand close together 
with the hoofs pointing forward. A horse should have 
a good haunch. Its ability for work depends on that ; 
therefore, it should be firm and strong. Illustration 
gives a good idea of a thoroughbred haunch. 



~~. ~^ I The coats of horses are of varied colors. 
COLOR 

■ Bay is a red brown color, and the term 
is used for various shades. Light or golden bay is yel- 
lowish light brown ; dark bay is very dark brown ; and 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



11 



dappled bay horaes are marked with darker spots on the 
rump. The tail and mane of bay horses are black. 
Black horses are usually coal black, which is very hand- 
some ; there is also a brown or red black, which makes 
their coats appear rusty. Dun colored horses are of a 
yellowish, sandy color. Their manes and tails may be 
white or black. Chestnut is the term applied to cinna- 
mon colored bay ; and the color varies from bright 
chestnut, which is very red, to the burnt chestnut, 
which is almost black. Gray horses have white hair 
mixed with black. Piebald horses are white, with 
large, irregular spots of varied colors. 



COAT, MANE, 
AND TAIL 



All horses shed their coats once a year. 

Coats of good 

horses are always 
of fine texture, and in thorough- 
breds the skin is thin, the veins 
prominent, and the hair silky. 
The mane and tail should be of 
good length and silky, but have no curl. Some judges 
say that curl is a sign of low breeding. 




PACES 



Paces of horses are regulated and con- 
trolled by use of the bit and spur. The 
spur causes quick action, and the bit regulates and 



19 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

gives precision. The paces are the walk, trot, single 
foot, or fox trot, canter, gallop, pace, and run. A good 
quick walker is a point of excellence, and that feature 
should be watched before purchasing. 



GENERAL 
NOTES 



CHAPTER II. 

THE STABLE. 

Although many improvements are con- 
stantly added to dwellings, too frequently 
the stable is neglected. In many other- 
wise perfect establishments, the horses are kept in badly 
arranged houses. Every stable must have good ventila- 
tion, absolute cleanliness, plenty of room, light and be 
kept free from dampness. Careful attention given to 
the planning of the details before building insures 
healthy horses and a saving of money. 



LOCATION 



All critics and builders agree that the 
stable should be built on a slight eleva- 
tion, near the dwelling and facing the south. The 
elevation will allow good drainage; the nearness to the 
dwelling means convenience, and with a southern 
exposure the stable will be lighter and brighter. Sun- 
light purifies the air of the stable and eradicates disease 
germs, 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



18 



SIZE OF 
STABLE 



Size depends entirely on the number and 
kind of horses intended to be kept. 
Race horses must have more room 
than work horses. It is a better plan to have a medium- 
sized stable thoroughly equipped with everything for the 
health and comfort of the horses than to have a large 
imposing" stable improperly furnished. Don't sacrifice 
the health of the horses for mere show. 



MATERIALS 
AND COST 



The choice of materials depends very 
much on what the neighborhood can 
supply. In relation to cost, the best is 
always the cheapest; and no accurate estimate can be 
given, as it depends on size, location and materials used. 
A stable is built to last for 
years; see, therefore, that it is 
built of good material and 
honest workmanship. Brick 
or stone is preferred to wood. 
If wood is used every precau- 
tion must be taken to have the 
stable built thoroughly air- 
tight and waterproof. Insist 
upon having a good foundation — one that will prevent 
the dampness creeping up to the floor. 




A-CEM£NT. C-ASHE5. 
S- BRICK D-STONES. 

A GOOD FOUNDATION. 



14 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 





EXTERIOR PI,AN8, 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



16 



PLANS 



Have the builder prepare a plan, and 
see that everything is right before start- 
ing. Stables usually consist of but one story and a loft. 

^* T CLOSET 



m 






CARRIAGE. 

M0UJ1. 



I \ 1 II 



=*£*= 



4-fi-fc 



— . ** 

I 

t) __ *r 



CARRIAGE 

HOUSE* 



»:l 



INTERIOR PLANS. 

Never have too many horses together. Five or six stalls 



Id 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



in a row is about right. Every stable should have either 
a harness room or good place for the harness, and a house 
for carriages, wagons, etc. The illustrations on pages 14 
and 15 give an excellent idea of arranging the ground 
floor. 



DRAINAGE 



Improper drainage is the cause of much 
trouble in the keeping of horses. The 
drains carrying the rain water from exterior of stable 




Ji»ss*r».srvs 



J& 



-x 



r^ruwoe* ground pipe* 
+ meao or drains. 



TRAP 



PI,AN OF DRAIN. 



should be entirely separated from the drains carrying 
refuse matter from interior, and should run, if possible, 
in a different direction. All drains should be con- 
structed in such a manner that nothing can escape from 



PRATT S POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



rr 



them ; and should have enough descent to prevent stag- 
nation. Sanitary traps should be used whenever pos- 
sible. All cesspools should be walled and cemented, 
and at some distance from the stable. The drain, in 
the centre of each stall, should connect with a drain in 
the passageway, running along the back of the stalls. 
Have all drains large enough to properly carry away all 
matter without being overcharged. The plans here 
shown will give an excellent idea of different ways of 
properly draining the stable. 



CEILING, 

AISLES, WIN- 

DOWS AND 

DOORS 



i 





DOOR. 



The height of ceilings should be at least 

10 feet. The aisles from 5 

to 6 feet wide, which allows 
plenty of room to back 
the horses. All win- 
dows should be hung 
in the middle. They 
should be wide and 
kept clean. Doors 
should open outward, be divided 
in the middle and be at least 4 
feet wide. Transoms should be 




WINDOW. 



above the doors, 
the stalls. 



The windows should be back of 



18 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



THE 
FLOOR 



The best floor is made of cement, corru- 
gated to keep the horses from slipping; 
and laid in such manner as to allow 
perfect drainage. The floor, 
under the stalls, of a large well- 
regulated stable should be made 
as follows : The earth dug out 
several feet, a foundation of 
rough stones laid, then earth, on 
top of which straw in large quanti- 
ties, can be used. In this manner 
excellent results can be obtained, 
and it is preferable to any other 
kind of floor. Brick or wood 




CEMENTED FI,OOR. 





should not be used, as they 

are porous, absorb the man- 




EARTH FI,OOR. 



DRAIN. 



ure and moisture and prevent the stable from being 
healthy. The floor of stalls must be as level as possible, 
with the drain in the centre. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



10 



STALLS 



No stall should be less than 6 feet wide 
by 10 feet long; and loose box stalls 

should be at least 12 feet square. 

Partitions between stalls should 

be high enough to prevent the 

horses from seeing each other, 

and be at least 6 feet 6 inches 

high at the manger and about 

4 feet 6 inches at the aisle. 

In up-to-date stables iron pil- 
lars are used at the end of the 

stalls, and neat iron gratings above the wood partitions. 

Oak is the best wood to use. Have stalls arranged in 




STAIX. 





PARTITION. 



I,OOSE BOX STAIX. 



such a position that the light and ventilation will be 
back of the horses. Always have several loose box 
stalls in the stable. They are excellent for sick and 
lame horses, breeding mares and colts. 



20 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



flANQERS 



Horse owners disagree about mangers; 
some prefer oak, while others give prefer- 





MANGERS. 



ence to galvanized or 

enameled iron. The 

most convenient, 

whether made of iron 

or wood, are those 

that contain hay rack, 

corn manger and 

water trough in one. 

These are very neat 

and easily cleaned. 

The diagrams show 

exactly how they are 

constructed. Wood is cheaper, but is apt to be gnawed; 

while the iron ones last 
forever, and are easier 
cleaned. The wall 
above the manger can 
be either boarded or 
tiled. Have two rings 
in the manger and one 
in the partition higher 

up. Never have the hay fed from an overhead rack, or 

from a chute, which fills the stable with dust. 




BAD HAY RACKS. 



PRATTS POINTERS OS THE HORSE 



21 



VENTILA- 
TION 



Ventilation is necessary to the health of 
horses. Plenty of sun- 
light and good pure air 
throughout the stable is essential. The 
ventilator should be placed in the ceil- 
ing over the aisle, connecting with an 
air-flue, which should run to the roof 
or side of building. 

Patent wheel ventilators are use- 
ful, and pay for themselves by the 
pure air of the stable. 




HAY MOWS, 
CORN CHAM- 
BER, ETC. 



The upper part of the stable is used for 
the storage of food ; and should be so 
arranged that 



N9 



A. SHtkUCB. 
0. CHOPPER. 



i CORN CHAMBER. 



B 



I N 



it can be easily reached. A 

room should be made in 

which to keep the corn and 

grain. As corn should 

always be dry, a quantity 

should be stored here until 

wanted. This room should 

be fitted with a window and be large enough in which to 

mix the feed, etc. The hay mows should be large, kept 

perfectly dry and well ventilated. 



S%. % 



CORN CHAMBER. 



22 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



WATER IN 
THE STABLE 



If water can be brought into the stable 
by means of pipes it will be found con- 
venient to clean the floors, etc. Pure 
water is necessary to the health of the horses. Therefore 
the water should be tested before allowing them to drink 
from a new supply. In the new style mangers a water 
tank is provided, and horses are watered in the stalls. 
Under the chapter on u Feeding and Watering " details 
are given. 



stable I Every well-regulated stable should con- 
NECEssrriEs I tain pitchforks 

of different sizes, shovel, wheel- 
barrow, broom, buckets, half 
bushel measure, sponge, curry- 
comb, waterbrush, cloths, oil 
can and brush, scissors, etc., 
also halters and blankets of 
different weights. All these stable closet. 

articles should have a place arranged for them, and 
should always be kept in a clean and serviceable condi- 
tion. The harness room and carriage house will be 
described in following chapter. 




PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 23 

CHAPTER III. 

HARNESS ROOM AND CARRIAGE HOUSE. 



ADVANTAGES 

OP A HARNESS 

ROOM 



It is absolutely necessary to have the 
harness and accessories kept in a clean 
and convenient location ; and nothing 
answers this purpose so completely as a well-arranged 
harness room. The harness is then kept away from all 
smell, ammonia, dust, etc. ; and it is not only convenient, 
but economical as well. Every piece of harness should 
have its particular location and be always in its proper 
place when not in use. Having a place for everything 
gives the stable a neat and attractive appearance and 
adds to the value of the property. 



CARE OP 
HARNESS 



Always dry harness thoroughly before 
putting it away. Clean the collar care- 
fully or chafed shoulders will be the 
result. Pratts Harness Soap is now in general use by 
a large majority of horse owners. It lasts longer and 
cleans better than any imported or domestic soap made. 
Carefully dry with a clean cloth immediately afterward. 
Keep all nickel bright and clean. Ammonia and whit- 



24 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



ing is good to use for this purpose. Bale wire is excel- 
lent for mending a trace or strap. Never put off repair- 
ing harness; do it at once. 



SIZE AND 
LOCATION 



a u u u o 
BRAKETS. 



The harness room should not be less than 
twelve feet square, and can be in the 
stable or attached to it. An excellent 
arrangement is to have the stable, harness room and 
carriage house combined in the order named. For fine 
harness, blankets, rugs, etc., closets should be built 
along the sides; and shelves should be made to hold 

brushes, rags, oil, etc. There 
should be plenty of pegs and 
brackets; also hooks hanging 
from the ceiling to hold har- 
ness while cleaning. Every 
harness room should contain 
a stove or range, with boiler 
attachment, so that water 
can be quickly heated. This is especially desirable in 
winter, as the chill can be taken from the drinking water, 
and the mangers, harness and wagons be more readily 
cleaned by the use of hot water. The heat will also be of 
great service in drying blankets and wet harness. 



HARNESS ROOM. 



ENTRANCE. 



IT— "I CARRIAGE . 

|S1NK| HOUSE i SHELVE*. 



PI,AN OF HARNESS ROOM. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



25 



HARNB55 

AND 

HARNBSSINO 



of horses. 



Proper harness, its care, and a thorough 
knowledge of harnessing should be ac- 
quired by all who drive or have the care 
The safety of lives depends on the harness, 
and it is criminal to neglect 
it Many lives have been 
sacrificed on account of a 
weakened piece of harness, 
which should have received 
attention. Every part 
should be examined fre- 
quently ; and if, by an acci- 
dent on the road, a piece 
is broken, the driver should 
understand how to repair 




REPAIRING ON THE ROAD. 



it. Buy only that which 
contains good leather 
and honest workman- 
ship. It should be light 
and simple, but strong 
and pliable. The chief 
parts of harness are the 
bridle, and the collar 
and traces, the saddle, 
with straps to support 
the shafts, crupper and breeching. 




IN HARNESS. 



26 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



THE 
BRIDLE 



The bridle may or may not have blinkers 
attached. Some horsemen think they 
do more harm than good; but this 

depends entirely upon the horse. Most 
horses, however, work better with them, 
as it keeps their attention closely to 
their work. The bit is the most impor- 
tant part of the bridle; and it is to con- 
trol, and not torture the horse. A bit bunkers. 
should fit the mouth, be just the width of the mouth and 
no larger. Bad fitting and cruel bits are the causes of 
hard mouths and unmanageable horses. 




TRACES, SAD- 
DLE, BREECH- 
ING, CRUPPER 



The traces should be attached to the 
hames at such a point that the horse can 
pull properly. A good collar-maker will 
fix this point, as it takes a knowledge of a horse's build 
to do so. Care must be taken that the traces are of 
equal length. The size of the pad or saddle depends on 
the nature of the work required. For carriages it 
should be light, but for heavy work it must be broad 
and well stuffed. The tugs or straps must be of such 
length as to suspend the shafts at a correct height. The 
breeching is worn in single harness, and must be loose 
enough to allow proper action. The crupper is to keep 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



27 



the saddle in place; and the part under the tail must be 
perfectly smooth. 



THE 
COLLAR 




COU,AR. 



The most important part of the harness 
is the collar. It must fit, or the horse 
will suffer and be unable to pull properly. 
If it is too large it will chafe the shoulder ; and if too 
small, it presses the windpipe and worries 
the horse. Have the collar made to order 
so that it exactly fits the neck and shoulders, 
then the weight of the load will be dis- 
tributed over the front of the shoulders, 
tsJ^L leaving the wind- 

*^5^ P*P e *" ree - An *tt" 

f fitting collar is as much annoy- 

— —™&-™_ ance to a horse as a pair of bad- 

shaped shoes is to a man. The 
lining should be of a smooth, 
soft leather, and be always kept 
perfectly clean. The best collars are those that open at 
the top. This is much better than the kind that goes on 
over the horse's head. The latter style annoys and 
worries many horses. The breast collar, or strap, is not 
to be recommended ; although it looks very neat, it 
presses against those muscles which should not en- 



L- 



BREAST COIXAR. 



28 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

dure pressure, and it frequently interferes with proper 
breathing. 



THE 

CARRIAGE 
HOUSE 



This house should be joined to the 
harness room, so that a door, connecting 
the two, in freezing weather, can be left 
open ; and the heat diffused, thus protecting the good 
vehicles. The carriage house should be just large 
enough to hold the carriages and wagons ; and nothing 
else should be stored in it. Many carriage houses are 
often filled with a miscellaneous assortment of pitch- 
forks, rakes, buckets and other articles not intended to 
be kept there. The place for cleaning carriages and 
wagons will be treated under another heading. 



RULES TO 
FEED 



CHAPTER IV. 

FEEDING AND WATERING. 

Regularity in feeding is one of the most 
important rules. Common sense and 
judgment must be used in the amount 
and kind of food given, which depends on the nature, 
size of horse, and amount of work to be done. The 
more work, the larger the ration. Overfeeding is the 
habit of many horse owners, consequently the horses 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 20 

lay on a larger supply of fat while lacking in good hard 
muscle. Race horses, that are sensitive and compelled 
to do exhaustive work, must have the best food money 
can buy. Young horses should have very nourishing 
and nutritious food, and a large quantity of it, for the 
proper development of their bodies. Many good colts 
have been stunted in their growth by improper food. 
Food must not only build up the bodies, but supply 
heat as well. 



FOOD I Although the natural food of the horse 
is grass, yet when stabled and compelled 



to work, it must have a more concentrated and nutri- 
tious food. To insure health in horses, and to fit them 
properly for work, their food must be of a mixed char- 
acter, nutritious, and have sufficient bulk to insure 
good digestion. Then all parts of the body will be 
supplied and strengthened. The food of horses vary in 
different parts of the globe ; but the general foods are 
hay, grass, corn, oats, barley, rye, beans, peas, bran, 
linseed, carrots, turnips, potatoes and apples. It is im- 
portant that the horse should be watered before feeding. 
Hay should be fed first and then grain, (which is the 
concentrated food,) should be given last. This causes 
the grain to remain in the stomach until thoroughly 



30 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



digested, and enables the horse to obtain the full benefit 
of the strength-giving food. 



OATS AND 
CORN 




Oats are the best grain food for horses. 
In buying oats see 
that the grains are 

heavy, the husks thin, and that it 

is free from a musty smell. Corn, 

according to present opinion, 

should not be fed too frequently, good oats. 

as it supplies fat, but very 
little muscle. Oats are 
much better. Corn should 
be fed in winter more than 
in summer, as it is very 
heating. Corn and oats are 

more easily digested if slightly crushed or bruised. 

Chaff and bruised corn make an economical and healthy 

food ; but should only be fed occasionally. 




MUSTY OATS— MAGNIFIED. 



GREEN POOD I ^are should be used in feeding the horses 
■ green food. Many will eat so greedily 
as to cause colic. It is best to mix the green food with 
the other food. When fed in small quantities, it is good 
for all horses. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



81 



TURNING 
TO GRASS 



Turning to grass is done frequently when 
the horses have been overworked, and 
are suffering from sore feet, bad legs, etc. 
This method has many friends ; but no horse should be 
turned out to grass unless there is a shelter in the field, 
where it can be protected 
from the rain, flies and heat. 
Some farmers, every even- 
ing in summer, allow their 
horses a ten minutes' run in 
a grass field, and the results 
are good. shelter. 




HAY, 

AND AMOUNT 

TO FEED 



Hay should always be bright, and every 
fibre distinct, of a greenish tint, firm, 
long, have a pleasant odor, free from 
weeds and dust. 
Foreign grasses 
and weeds are dis- 
tinguished by 
their darker color. 
Hay should be 
well seasoned be- 
fore feeding. It should lay at least six months ; but a 
year is still better. Clover hay must not be very weedy 




GOOD HAY. 



82 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



or the horse will refuse to eat it. Never feed burnt, 
musty, mildew, or dirty hay. If you do, it will cause 
sickness. The amount of hay to feed daily must be 
determined by experience. Some authorities say twelve 
pounds a day is sufficient, 
while others allow fifteen 
to eighteen pounds. By 
watching results of 
amount fed, the proper 
quantity will soon be de- 
termined for each animal. 
All horses should have 
cut food once daily. This, 
in addition to grain, con- 
sists of hay, cornfodder or straw, cut, wetted and mixed 
with bran. As horses in the natural state prefer moist 
grass, many horsemen sprinkle the hay with water 
before feeding. Horses like crisp hay; but dislike any 
that is soft and woolly. 




cutters. 



COOKED 
FOOD 



Cooked food is generally condemned. 
The process of cooking does not render 
it more nutritious or easier to digest. It 
is not natural for a horse to have sloppy food; it is too 
easily swallowed and it weakens the digestive organs. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



33 



Horses that are fed cooked food are subject to colic, diar- 
rhoea and many other diseases, and are lacking in vigor. 



FEEDING 
HOURS 



Horses should be fed three times a day. 
The first meal should be between five and 
six o'clock, while the last food should 
be given about six or seven p. m. 
Regularity is necessary to proper 
health. Over-eating and indiges- 
tion are usually caused by not fol- 
lowing this rule. Arrange such 
hours as are convenient, and then 
follow them faithfully. As a 
horse, in its natural state, always 
eats with its head down, serve its 
food low, especially hay. 




EATING— HEAD DOWN. 



OTHER 

FOODS 



Barley and rye should be fed with care. 
Beans and peas, thoroughly dried and 
crushed, with oats, make an excellent 
mixture. They contain much nutriment, and it is a 
good feed for farm horses. Bran, in some stables, is fed 
daily and good results are shown. Carrots and turnips 
fed raw are good for hard- worked horses. Potatoes, on 
account of their cheapness and worth, make a good winter 
food, and when boiled and mixed with oats and chopped 



34 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

hay, are nutritious. Apples, with the grain, are excel- 
lent. Never feed a tired or heated horse, and let the 
evening meal be the heaviest. 



PRATTS 
REMEDIES 



We have endeavored to lay down practi- 
cal and common sense rules in feeding ; 
and believe, if they are consistently car- 
ried out, that healthy, profitable results will follow. At 
the same time, no matter how much care, time, atten- 
tion and judgment are given to rules of any kind, there 
are times when it is impossible to carry them out as 
they should be. Then, again, at times it is necessary 
to work the horses harder than usual, or sudden changes 
of weather, or long exposure to rains and storms will 
cause the animals to get out of condition ; and it is on 
account of these irregularities that Pratt Food Com- 
pany's well-known remedies — Pratts Food for Horses 
and Cattle, Pratts Animal Regulator and Pratts Purely 
Vegetable Condition Powder — show their great value. 
If either is given regularly with each feed, a horse will 
receive full nutriment and benefit from all he eats ; and 
as they keep the digestive organs in perfect condition, 
the bowels regular and the blood pure, a horse will be 
free from disease and kept robust and healthy. They 
are mild stimulative and digestive tonics or regulators, 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



35 



composed of harmless roots, herbs and barks, and do 
not contain vegetable or mineral poisons of any kind. 
These remedies are not to be fed in bulk, but mixed in 
small quantities as directed, with the animal's regular 
food. While they cure most all ailments to which 
horses are liable, these famous Remedies are just as 
valuable as preventives, flesh producers and savers of 
food. They are now in use throughout the world. See 
treatment of diseases explaining the value of Pratts 
Remedies in each disease, and how to give them. 



SALT 




All horses like salt, and should have it 
within easy reach ; instinct will not 
allow them to eat more than is 
necessary for their health. The 
best way is to fasten a large 
lump, weighing three pounds, 
in a place where the horse can 
easily lick it when wanted. 



SAI/T IN STAU. 



Horses should be watered as early in the 
morning as possible, and at least twenty 
minutes before feeding. There are two 
methods at present used in watering horses. One is to 



WHEN AND 

HOW 
TO WATER 



36 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



-458- 



^^ 



I 



always have the water before them in the stall, and the 
other is to water at stated intervals. If water is con- 
stantly kept before a horse, unless he has been accus- 
tomed to it from a colt, he is apt to drink too much 
when overheated ; but this can be remedied by having 

a cover to the tank. It has 
been proven that horses will 
drink less when they have water 
always before them than if 
they are watered at certain in- 
tervals. If water is not kept 
constantly before them they 
should have it at least four 

COVER TO TANK IN STAI,!,. times ft day The amount 

drank depends on the weather and their work. One and 
one-half to two buckets is about right. Never water 
when overheated. Oatmeal mixed with the water is 
excellent when the horses are tired or exhausted. Have 
the temperature of the water a little below that of the 
stable. Never give ice water. In winter, heat the water 
till it is of the proper temperature, and rheumatism, as 
well as indigestion, will be prevented. Water the horse 
before starting on a journey. As a last rule, be sure that 
the water is pure and clean ; also that the bucket or 
trough is free from dirt 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



37 



NECESSITY 
OF WATER 



Water is as much a 
necessity to horses 
as food ; and they 
should always be properly supplied 
with soft, clean water. The horse 
is the best judge of the amount of 
water needed, and if watered ac- 
cording to instructions below, will 
not drink any more than is needed 
for health. 




HORSE DRINKING. 



CHAPTER V. 



THE STABLE YARD. 



STABLE 

YARD 
MANURE 



This is a subject that the average horse 
owner sadly neglects. A well-kept man- 
ure heap is an indication of thrift. One- 
third of the value of manure is anually lost by bad 
management in most establishments. If the manure is 
carefully saved and used properly, the fertility of the 
soil is retained. For every iooo pounds of live weight 
of a horse the value per year of manure produced by 
that horse is about twenty-six to twenty-eight dollars. 
Another fact is that the urine of horses is most valuable 
if saved as per stable yard hints. Manure loses its value 
by too much fermentation and leaching. A certain 



88 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



amount of fermentation is necessary. This can be con- 
trolled by addition of moisture. 



STABLE 
HINTS 



The stable yard is one of the most im- 
portant factors to those that keep horses; 
and it should be built in a thorough sani- 
Formerly stable yards were so badly 




ORDINARY STABLE YARD. 



CATE 



tary manner, 

arranged that all 

the valuable 

draining from 

the manure 

would run ofFand 

be wasted. Many 

new features 

have been added, 

however, to make 

the stable yard 

nearer to what it 

should be. In the 

first place, it 

should be of 

fairly good size; 

and second, the 

space where the 

manure is kept should be paved with concrete, gradually 




CAT* 



I TROUGH I 



£££& 



PI,AN, GOOD STABLE YARD. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



39 



sloping to the centre, where a small well can be made, 
also lined with concrete, to hold the draining, which can 
then be pumped or thrown over the heaped manure, 
adding greatly to its value. 



COVERED 
STABLE 
YARD5 



Some stable yards are now entirely 
covered with a substantial roof, which 
makes an excellent protection for both 
animals and the manure. It also provides a pleasant 
place to work, especially in winter. The yard can be 




COVERED STABLE YARD (2). 

covered with a plain roof, or a second story can be added, 
which will be found very convenient for storage of straw, 
etc. Where the yard is not covered, a good plan is to build 
a roof extending about 12 feet from the stable, and 12 feet 
from the ground, running the full length of the stable, 



40 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

Some build a shed over the manure, and leave the bal- 




ROOF EXTENDING 
FROM STABLE. 




SHED (MANURE). 

ance of the yard uncovered. The plans submitted give 
an idea of difierent methods of covering the stable yard. 



THE WASH 
FLOOR 





In the stable yard, or in close proximity 

to the carriage house, 

there should be a 
cemented space 12 to 15 feet square, 
on which to wash carriages, etc. 



WASH FLOOR PLAN. 

It should incline 
towards the centre, 
where an opening 
should be, connect- 
ing with a drain. 
If possible this 



COVERED WASH FLOOR ADJOINING THE 
CARRIAGE HOUSE. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



41 



space should be covered with a neat shingle roof. This 
can be constructed at a slight expense and should be 
found in every yard. 



THE STABLE 
TANK 



a stable is located 



and without 
of windmills. 




In many instances 
beyond the reach 
of pipe water, 
the convenience 
There should be 
constructed at least a hundred 
gallon tank in the stable, as 
high up as possible; and by 
the use of a force pump, kept 

.continually filled. 
The water, by the 
use of pipes, can 
then be distributed 
throughout the 
stable and yard. 
The convenience of 
this is unquestion- 
able. Pipes should 
lead to the water trough, to the stalls, to the harness 
room, to wash floor, etc. 



• 


* 


If J 


E 
•© 

o 
C 

* 

to 

Z 
K 
< 
X 


4 
«• 

n 

5* 


^WA5M 
FLOOR 


J 


J 






< 




#1 





• TAPS 



■ft 



DISTRIBUTING PIPES. 



42 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



THE 

5TABLE YARD 

TROUGH 



Another necessity of the stable yard is a 
good watering trough, which should 
always be located under a roof of some 



kind. It should be 
of generous size, 
made of two-inch 
pine planks, and 
lined with metal, 
with an opening 
at the bottom, so 
that the water may 




TROUGH UNDER SHED. 



M 




THE TROUGH. 



be run off in 
freezing weather, 
or for the purpose 
of cleaning. This 
trough should be 
kept perfectly 



clean and the water in it fresh and cool. 



THE 
PADDOCK 



When a stable is so located that it is 
possible to have a paddock, it is a valuable 
adjunct, and is simply a small pasture, 
neatly fenced, adjoining the stable. It is used for 
rearing colts, also as a resting place for sick or over- 
worked horses. This pasture should contain a good 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



43 



growth of rich grass. The best paddocks either have a 

neat shelter built on them or 

have a box stall in the stable 

opening into the paddock. A 

horse can then go in and out 

at pleasure. This gives the 

colts or horses a shelter from 

the weather or flies. It is most 

profitable to have a place of 

this kind to use when needed. 

Another necessity to a paddock is a water trough kept 

filled with clear water. 





1 STABLE. 

1 *s£~|7; 


trtoun* 

*3 


-i 

1W>D0CK. 


Show* 


*» 


£> 


*3 $ 




& .{9 



PADDOCK PLAN. 



HOW TO TREAT 

AND 

USE MANURE 



The best method is described in stable 
yard hints on page 37, which allows the 
drainings to run into a well constructed 

in the centre of the manure heap, and then pump it over 

the manure, always 

keeping it in a fair- 
ly moist condition. 

Heap it about ten 

feet high and be 

careful to smooth 

the outer sides to 

prevent too free 

circulation of air. To prevent ammonia from evaporat- 




PUMP FOR MANURE. 




44 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

ing, a small amount of gypsum is sprinkled in the 
manure. It has been said that it is better not to cover 

the manure; but that idea is 

rapidly dying out, and it is now 

thought much better in every 

u ^ 0%a respect to have it covered, as 

SMOOTH SIDES OF HEAP. fa^lt J s not ^^ a J oss f rom 

excessive heat or continued rains. Manure so protected 
is always stronger, therefore more valuable. In using 
the manure, light and frequent applications bring far 
the best results. The mixing of commercial fertilizers 
with the manure, however, improves its value greatly. 



CHAPTER VI. 

BREEDING. 



The first question a breeder must settle in his mind 
is what he wants; and breed with that point in view. If 
a work horse is wanted, breed from those animals that 
have the desired qualities ; and so on throughout the 
breeding of different horses for different uses. This 
principle must be adhered to strictly to be successful. 

The idea in breeding horses is at all times with the 
aim of improving the breed. All who engage in breed- 
ing horses will find that it requires time, patience and 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 46 

thought. The more care expended before starting, the 
better the results will prove. Never attempt to breed 
anything but good colts; scrubs never pay. There is 
money in breeding certain kinds of horses; but that 
subject will be treated in the chapter on " Profit and 
Loss. ' ' 



IMPORTANCE 

OP 

SELECTION 



As a colt always has, in a more or less 
modified form, many of the habits and 
outward appearances of its parents, the 
necessity of careful selection can be readily seen. Sound, 
healthy and good-tempered animals alone can furnish 
desirable colts. The surest rule is to always select the 
best obtainable of the breed desired, and disappointment 
will be reduced to a minimum. The purer the breed, the 
better the offspring will be. 



THE BROOD 
HARE 



In choosing the brood mare a great many 
things must be taken into consideration. 
She must have good health and temper; 
her frame should be compact, yet roomy to a certain 
extent ; and she must have strength. As blood always 
tells in the progeny, let the mare be of good blood. It 
is just as important for the mare as the stallion; and this 
is where many breeders make mistakes. They use most 



46 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

any kind of a mare with a blood stallion, and expect 
good results. 

A mare, before breeding, should be examined 
thoroughly, not only to see that health is good, but also 
that she is free from spavins, ringbones, all bony en- 




A GOOD BROOD MARK. 



largements, curby hocks, bad feet, broken wind, cataract 
and all other diseases that are hereditary. The temper of 
the mare is important, and no one should breed from an 
ill-tempered or vicious animal. The frame sufficiently 
large so that the colt can be properly carried. The 
shoulders fleshy, firm and with the proper slant. The 
loins broad and the hips wide apart. The mouth and 
nostrils large and eye bright. A healthy coat is also 
necessary. Strength and ability to work are excellent 
traits to perpetuate. A good brood mare is valuable. 



THE 
STALLION 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 47 

The stallion, to have good results, must 
always be adapted to the mare ; and 
should also possess all the good qualities 
mentioned. It shows good judgment when a stallion is 
chosen that has blood, fine staying qualities, soundness, 
and a strong, well-built form, with straight and short, 
legs. A stallion must have a certain amount of fat, 




A GOOD BROOD STATION. 

which is necessary to a good constitution ; but should 
not be loaded down with it, as it is apt to cause sickness 
and sudden death. A stallion is frequently chosen that 
exaggerates the features sought for in the colt: so, if the 
mare has long legs, a short-legged stallion is used ; but 
this kind of breeding must be very carefully studied, or 



48 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

freaks, instead of well-proportioned colts, will be the 
result 



BREEDING 

AGES 



For good results, it is always best that 
both the sire and dam should be mature 
and have plenty of vigor. If too young 
or too old, the offspring is apt to be weak and under- 
sized. The general rule is that a young mare be put to 
a well-matured horse, not less than from eight to ten 
years old ; and a young stallion be used for an old mare. 
Mares can breed from two to twenty-five years old, and 
sometimes older. It has been proven that age, when 
bred with youth, is no detriment, as some of our very 
best horses have been bred from old mares. 

A mare should never be bred, however, until she is 
at least three years old ; four years is even better. She 
will then be more fully developed, and her foal stronger. 
Stallions frequently have full vigor for twenty-five years. 
Young stallions should be used with judgment, or injury 
will ensue. 

Early spring is said to be the best time to put a 
young mare to the horse. If a mare is taken in Febru- 
ary or March, the offspring is said to be particularly 
hardy. Some breed in autumn, that the mare may work 
all summer. The ninth day after foaling is the surest 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 49 

time for conception. A mare will breed every year ; and 
the best results are derived by frequent breeding. After 
a mare is fifteen years old, her foal is apt to be weak, 
unless bred with a young stallion. 

Working mares are more liable to be good breeders 
than ones that are kept in idleness. It is always surer 
to have mares bred at home. If the mare is taken to 
the stallion, it is best if she is driven there before the 
time of heat, and not driven home immediately after 
being served. If a mare refuses a horse, the prevailing 
way is to turn them loose in a pasture together, and in a 
short time the desired result is obtained. A mare carries 
her foal from eleven to fourteen months. An important 
rule to observe is, never to take a tired mare to the horse. 
In the morning, when both have full vigor after the 
night's rest, is the best time. 



TREATMENT 

OP 
MARE IN FOAL 



A mare with foal must not be chased, 
frightened, exposed to weather, overfed, 
overworked, allowed to smell blood, or 
excited, or she is liable to "slip" her foal. If she does 
this once, extra precaution must be taken or she will do 
it again. A brood mare accustomed to work will be 
benefited if kept at work until a short time before 



FEEDING THE 

MARE AND THE 

STALLION 



50 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

foaling. She must not be strained, overworked, or 
allowed to drink very cold water when heated. 

Feed the stallion liberally with the best 
food. Oats, hay, beans, grass and Pratts 
Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts 
Condition Powder are all that is necessary. The mare 
should be fed a trifle larger ration than before, and the 
meals be more frequent. The best foods are clover hay, 
bran, oats, linseed, carrots, etc., with Pratts Remedies as 
mentioned above. Never feed rye to mares in foal. 
Give plenty of pure, clean water. 

iwnATCMrvl Impotency in mares is usually caused by 

liVlPOTcNCY I 

I overfeeding. They should be regularly 
fed Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts 
Condition Powder, and their other ration reduced. In 
stallions it is usually caused by lack of exercise. Good 
food and exercise are necessary to keep them in condi- 
tion. Pratts Remedies as mentioned above are invalu- 
able for all stallions, and rectify impotency in both 
mares and stallions. 



In-and-in breeding consists in mat- 
ing horses of close relationship ; it 
is done to insure and perpetuate 
certain qualities. Crossing is the union of two 



IN-AND-IN 
BREEDING. 

CROSSING 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



61 



distinct breeds, that the good qualities of each may be 
found in the offspring. To do either requires much 
skill and judgment on the part of the breeder. 



HOW TO 

TELL A MARE 

IN FOAL 



The usual way to tell if a mare is in foal 
is to take a rope or strap and measure 
around the girth where the harness goes 



on the back and the 
belly band buckles on ; 
then measure just in 
front of the hind legs 
around the body. If 
the last measurement 
is the larger, the mare 
is with foal. 




MEASURING TO SEE IF A MARK 
IS IN FOAI,. 



FOALING 



As the time approaches for foaling, the 
mare should be placed in a good-sized 
box stall, the floor of which is heavily covered with 
straw. The time of foaling can be foretold by the sink- 
ing of the flanks, the dropping of the belly and the en- 
larged udder, which, if milked, will produce a white fluid. 
Foaling with a mare is a prompt act, and, if the mare is 
in good condition, should require no interference or 



52 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

assistance. The usual cause of trouble is when the foal 
is in the wrong position. The head and forefeet should 
come first. It requires skill to assist a mare in delivery, 
and no one but an expert should attempt it. High- 
bred animals require more attention than the ordinary- 
horses. After foaling, quiet, cleanliness and good food 
are all that is required. If the belly of the mare is very 
large, it should be carefully bandaged. Nature, if 
allowed to take its course, will result favorably if not 
interfered with. Warm gruel and a little hay should be 
given the mare after foaling. 



CARE OP 

MARE AND 

COLT 



The mare usually attends to the colt by 
instinct at once, allowing it to suck and 
licking it dry. If she refuses to own it, 
rub some of the mare's milk on the colt's nose ; then let 
the mare smell it, and she will own it at once. The 
food of the mare should be nourishing, and consist of 
plenty of grass, oats, bran, carrots and frequently warm 
mashes. She needs nourishing and concentrated food, 
with plenty of good water and the proper quantity of 
Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condi- 
tion Powder. See that the udder is in a good condition 
and not inflamed. The mare should not be put to work 



PRATTS TOINTERS ON THE HORSE 63 

at once, and when first used should have light work for 
a time. 



TO PRODUCE 
MILK 



If a suckling mare puts on much flesh 
and gives very little milk, give her a diet 
of bran and crushed oats. This is an ex- 
cellent and easy remedy. Pratts Food, Pratts Animal 
Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder should also be 
given regularly, as they not only enrich the milk, but 
also increase the quantity. 



Brooding mares and stallions are particu- 



TO INSURE 

mares and| larly benefited by the regular and con- 

STALLIONS 



stant use of Pratts Food, Pratts Animal 
Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder. The profit in 
feeding them under these circumstances can hardly be 
calculated. The stallion is kept robust and healthy, his 
blood pure, digestion good and bowels regular, his 
service surer and his offspring stronger. The mare will 
be kept in perfect, healthy condition, the colt well nour- 
ished, both before and after foaling, and the delivery 
and all after-effects healthy, while the colt will be strong 
and have good appetite. Pratts remedies insure a good 
quantity of milk of excellent quality. The ingredients 
being roots, herbs and barks, they can be fed freely 
without any bad effects. 



64 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

CHAPTER VII. 

THE COLT. 

Careful attention must be given to the colt from 
the time of its birth. It should have proper stabling, 
good food, and exercise, be accustomed to handling 




NEGLECTED COW. 

from the first and not excited or frightened. As the 
colt is reared, so the horse will be ; and no good horse 
can be raised from a neglected colt. 



STABLING 



The colt should not run with the mare, 
but be kept in a paddock in favorable 
weather with access to a good box stall, in which it 
should always be confined at night. The paddock must 



PRATT S POINTERS ON THE HORSE 65 

be well fenced and contain nothing that will injure the 
playful foal. The stall should be bedded heavily with 
straw or sawdust, and kept in a perfectly clean condi- 
tion. It must also be free from anything to injure the 
colt ; and contain nothing but a manger for grain, and a 
vessel containing good, clean water. Never allow the 
colt to be exposed to the rain, excessive heat or flies, 
and never let them lie on a hard floor, as it is liable to 
injure their feet. It is always best to keep colts away 
from all other animals. 



EXERCISE I ^ xerc i se * s necessary for the proper de- 
velopment of colts ; and as nature has 



given them a playful disposition, they ought not to be 
hampered in any way from using their legs and bodies. 
It is the confinement of colts in dark, poorly ventilated 
and frequently dirty stables that causes so many stunted 
and scrubby horses to be seen. 



feeding and I Colts should be weaned when they are 
WEANINq I from four to five months old. If latet 
than that it hurts the mare, and does not improve the 
colt. All colts should be fed from the time they are 
four weeks old with bran, crushed oats, mixed with a 
small quantity of Pratts Food. They take very readily 



59 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 




MARK AND COI/T. 



to this food and it makes weaning easier. The mare 

should be brought to the 

colt three times a day till 

the colt is four weeks old, 

then twice a day will be 

sufficient. Of course, the 

night is spent together, 

either in a paddock or, if 

the weather is bad, in a 

well-bedded and large box 

stall. There must always 

be a supply of grain, fresh hay and clean water in the 

stall for the colt. The food of colts should be gradually 

increased. The more grain eaten by the colt, the better 

it is for the mare, and it facilitates weaning. 

When the time for weaning comes, separate the 
mare and colt so that they cannot see or hear each 
other ; and by kindness and gentleness the colt will soon 
eat whatever is placed before it, and in a few days will 
entirely forget its mother. Feed well ; the colt must 
never be hungry. Clover hay, bran, oats, with a few 
potatoes, apples and carrots now and then, will make 
them grow rapidly. Feed to produce strong limbs, good 
joints and a solid body. Do not feed too much hay, but 
keep the colt round and shapely. The feet can be kept 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



67 



straight with a rasp, 
the oats. 



If a colt is very nervous, decrease 



DRYING 
THE MARE 



If the mare's udder, after the foal is 
weaned, becomes full, is inflamed and 
liable to cake, it should be milked out 

once or twice a day. She should be fed straw, have 

less water; and soft soap can be rubbed on the udder. 

The mare is now ready for harder work, and for a short 

time ought to be fed with dry food. 



HANDLINQ 
THE FOAL 



A colt that has never been frightened, 
and has been accustomed to handling, 
can be easily approached to have its body 
and legs rubbed frequently. The mane, tail and fetlock 
can also be gently combed. As soon as the colt finds that 
no harm is done to it, it gains confidence, and this is 
a great assistance when the time comes for training. 
Never shout at the colt. Gentleness, with a lump of 
sugar or an apple, will do more good than a whip. 



HOW TO KEEP 

COLTS 

HEALTHY 



A colt can be kept in a healthy condition 
and cause little or no trouble, by the 
constant feeding of Pratts Food, Pratts 
Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder. At first 
about a tablespoonful should be mixed with its feed, 



58 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



gradually increasing the quantity as the colt grows older. 
It will not only insure health, but full growth, free from 
diseases of all kinds and a strong and sturdy horse will 
be the result. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

BREAKING AND TRAINING. 

A colt's education should begin at its birth; nothing 

is more senseless than to 
allow a colt to run wild and 
unrestrained until he is de- 
sired for use, then by brute 
strength and the whip com- 
pel him to serve you. By 
this means the spirit of the 
colt is broken, and a dull 
and listless, or vicious, horse 




vicious HORSE. 



is the result, according to the nature of the animal. 



NATURAL 
TRAITS 



A horse is naturally patient, proud and 
willing to obey, if he understands that 
which he is required to do. In fact all 
his apparent excitement and worry is caused by fear, 
generally the result of not knowing what he is expected 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HOKSti 



50 



to do, consequently that is the first thing to overcome. 
A horse is unaware of its strength, unless by improper 
handling he learns his power, then its future usefulness 
is ruined, and only by the most careful training can he 
be redeemed. 



BREAKING TO 

HALTER AND 

BIT 



As stated previously, from the time of its 
birth, the colt should be handled daily, 
its feet lifted and patted, and its mane, 
fetlock and tail gently combed, until it becomes per- 
fectly accustomed to it and devoid of all fear. It should 
be talked to and praised, and 
whenever it does a thing well 
reward it with a lump of sugar, 
etc. A colt must learn one thing 
at a time ; if you teach it many 
things, it will do none right. 
After it has learned one thing 
well teach it another. Very few 
people know the value of talking 
to a colt. A horse is intelligent, 
and one that understands what is 
said will prevent trouble if ever in a dangerous pre- 
dicament. A colt should be taught to wear a halter 
when two weeks old. Let it smell and see it first, then 




COLT DEVOID OV FEAR. 



60 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



put it on, leaving it there but a few minutes. Every 
day leave it on longer and in a short time a strap or rope 
can be attached ; and it can be led. 

After the colt becomes accustomed to the halter, the 
use of the bit can be taught. A good plan consists of 
attaching to the halter a bit made of licorice root. The 
colt likes this root and won't object to it being in its 
mouth; and from the use of this, to a smooth steel bit is 
merely a question of time and patience. Never leave 
the bit in longer than a half-hour at a time when first 

teaching. The halter 
alone should be used 
principally until the colt 
is six months old. The 
great principle in training 
is that the process should 
be gradual. After the bit 
is familiar to the colt, 
attach reins and let it run 
by the mother's side. This is one of the best ways of 
teaching. At first it will be very shy, but with kind- 
ness and encouragement it will soon be familiar to the 
noises of the carriage and restraint of the lines. This 
should be repeated until no fear whatever is displayed. 
Above everything have the harness strong. If a colt 




COI,T DRIVEN AT MOTHER'S SIDE. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



61 



once breaks its halter, it will try it again. Colts soon 
learn to pull ; and everything must be tight and firm. 
Never use a check rein when training a colt. The 
reason that colts fret when in harness is on account of 
the itching it causes to their skin. To remedy this, 
leave the harness on only a short time at first ; and 
gently rub the pressed skin after unharnessing. Don't 
think that any harness will do for a colt ; it must not 
only be strong, but should fit in every respect. 



TIB 
TRAINER 



The best trainer is the owner, and the 
man must be patient, good-tempered, 
kind and never allow himself to be ex- 




OWNER ON HORSE. 




BAD TRAINING. 



cited. An ill-tempered man will spoil any colt. Abuse 
should never tolerated. A colt never forgets if he is 



62 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



whipped or frightened in his first lessons, and no one 
should be allowed to be among the colts unless he is 
gentle and kind, both in voice and manner. 



TRAINING 

TO 

WAGON 



After a horse understands the use of the 
bit and has been taught to stop at a word, 
he can be attached, with his mother, to a 
light wagon. Of course this must not be done until the 
colt's strength will stand the strain. After it goes well 
in double harness, it can be trained to go single. Teach 
the colt to stop at a single word, to back as willingly as 
to go forward, to stand perfectly still while any one is 
entering or leaving the carriage, stand still when being 

harnessed or unharnessed, and 
to be a good, quick walker. 
The latter can be taught by 
keeping the colt from break- 
ing into a trot when starting 
out. The colt is then fresh and 
anxious to go ; restrain the 

trot and a brisk walk will be 
cow raping. the result By f()llowing this 

daily the colt will soon become a first-class walker, and 
its value will be greatly increased. One of the best ways 
to teach a colt to leap is to place a low obstacle between 




PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 63 

the colt and its feed. Call the colt and he will leap the 
barrier. Gradually increase the height, and when he is 
old enough a man can be on his back. Teach a colt to 
come to you by calling. He will do so if never fright- 
ened. This saves much annoyance when the colt be- 
comes a full-grown horse. 



THE COLT'S 
FEET 



From birth the feet should be lifted and 
patted. Care must be taken that the 
hoofs do not grow too long. Keep them 

level with a rasp. Do not have colts shod too early. 

For further information see chapter on u Shoeing and 

Care of the Feet. 



n 



~ m ,«,,~ I When a colt shies, he usually does it from 
SHYING j ' J 

I fear. Talk to him, drive up close to the 
object, and when he sees no harm is done, he can be 
easily driven by. A colt should be taught from the first 
to be indifferent to all city noises, steam cars, trolley cars, 
bicycles, etc. 



Sometimes you will find a brute by na- 
ture, or made so by bad handling. We 
will here give a system to break vicious 
horses that has never failed, and there is no danger of 



HOW TO 
BREAK VICIOUS 

HORSES 



64 



FRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



injuring them ; sometimes in an hour you can drive the 
worst horses to a buggy. 

Take a short hold of the halter with the left hand and 
the hair of the tail with the right, give him short whirls 

around to the left. He may be 
a little lively, but a little man- 
agement will soon give you 
hold of the tail ; then tie a firm 
knot in the hair close to the 
fleshy end of the tail. Run 
the end of the halter through 
the tail above the knot; tie with 
half loop, which can be untied 
by catching the end of the 
halter ; this can be done when 
the horse is whirling around, 
by a little practice ; as soon as 
tied, let him go. He is now hitched to himself; the more 
lively he is the quicker he will dance, and sometimes will 
get dizzy and fall, but he will get up again and go on. 
Keep him moving with a cracking whip until he wants 
to stop and rest; shorten the halter and start him again. 
If he falls when tied short, you may have to untie him 
before he can get up, and then tie again, which is not 
often necessary ; he cannot hurt himself. 




TRAINING VICIOUS HORSES. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 65 

After he has been somewhat subdued, to take the first 
friskiness and kick out of him, take a smooth hickory pole 
about ten feet long, touch him smartly on the sides, be- 
tween the legs, against his heels, under his tail, and all 
his tender spots, making it appear like the whiffle-tree 
against his heels, traces between his legs, line under the 
tail, etc. The horse being tied head and tail and kept 
going around and around, each point must be finished 
before another is taken up — that is, when he will bear 
these tests in one location, try another, until he will bear 
it without kicking. The amount that he will bear be- 
fore he gives up depends on his disposition. Well-bred 
horses fight the sharpest and give up the quickest. He 
can now be ridden — the rider jumping on the off side 
and reaching over and catching hold of the halter ; when 
the horse quits whirling straddle him and untie the 
halter. 

We never saw a horse buck, or which could not be 
ridden with the halter, after this training. After riding, 
he may be harnessed and driven in single harness, when 
the same tests by pole may be applied, followed with 
hitching to wagon and the usual steps we have given 
for breaking colts. At the least sign of viciousness take 
him out and head-and-tail him again. This system is 
recommended for not only taking the kick out of vicious 



©6 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

horses, but is equally good for balky animals. It will 
subdue the worst brute. In case he is very bad, give 
him a short dance each morning for a month before 
hitching him up, to be sure none of the trait remains. 



whippino I ^ e w k*P ne ver made a good horse. The 
1 whip should only be used on stubborn or 
kicking colts. They should have a few sharp cuts 
across the hind legs. Whip just enough to break their 
bad disposition and respect authority. A colt should 
never be whipped over the body. Speak sharply to 
stubborn colts, use the whip carefully, make them obey 
quickly ; but caress and reward them when they do what 
is right. Never leave a whipped colt until he is quieted 
down. 



HOW TO PRE- 
VENT A HORSE 

KICKING 
IN THE STALL 



If a horse kicks in the stall from nervous- 
ness, always speak to him as you step up 
behind him. If he is wicked, head-and- 
tail him and give him a dance, as before mentioned. 
When you step up to go in the stall tell him to stand 
over, sharply. Watch your chance, slip in quickly, and 
take hold of the halter. You must not do this until you 
see him quail under your eye. If the horse is treacher- 
ous, better have a looped cord over his nose, running 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 67 

back out of the stall, and as you step up and speak, give 
it a jerk, which will give you a chance to slip in. Do 
not show the least fear of him under any circumstances. 



HOW TO STOP 
A HORSE 

PULLINO ON A 
HALTER 



Pulling on the halter comes from being 
hitched with too slight a halter. When 
a horse breaks away he will try it again, 
and if he breaks away once or twice it will be a fixed 
habit. Take a half-inch rope, double it, and place the 
double end under his tail in form of a crupper ; crossing 
the two ends over his back, and carrying them one on 
each side of neck through the halter rings, hitch to the 
manger or post ; one or two pulls will be enough for 
him. You will have no further trouble. 



HOW TO PRE- 
VENT A HORSE 
KICKING WHILE 
SHOEING OR 
GROOniNQ 



A curry-comb often hurts a thin-skinned 
horse, and should be used as little as pos- 
sible on an animal of this kind. If it is 
from wickedness, tie a cord around his neck, and pass a 
loop around his lower jaw, holding the other end while 
grooming. At every attempt to kick and bite give it a 
sharp pull, and he will soon give it up. It is harder to 
break a sensitive horse in handling his feet. Never take 
a horse of this kind to a smith's shop to have him trained; 



68 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

teach him at home to have his feet handled and rasped om. 
If he is vicious, head-and-tail him and give him a dance> 
then teach him to have his fore feet handled, sticking to 
each one until he yields. If he is stubborn, give him an- 
other dance. Sometimes by strapping up a fore leg they 
will allow their feet to be handled ; then, again, by merely 
tying the tips of their ears together will break them. A 
horse cannot think of two things at once, and by attract- 
ing his attention to something else you can often accom- 
plish your purpose. 



HOW 

TO PREVENT 

RUNNING-AWAY 

HABIT 



The first thing to do with a horse of this 
kind is to] teach him to pay attention to 
the bit and commands of the driver under 
all circumstances. To do this, put him into single har- 
ness, placing the lines through the lugs of the thills in- 
stead of the turrets, so he cannot turn his face toward 
you. Now drill him for an hour each day for a month, 
turning to the right, to the left, backing, going ahead, 
and stopping instantly. Turn him sharp, and short, 
and back again, cracking him with the snapper of 
the whip. Make him stop short at the word. If he 
does not, give him a sudden check ; he will soon learn to 
stop at once, even if you are several rods away, which 
will give you control of him at all times. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



BREAKING 
BALKY 
HORSES 



To start a horse when balking, we give 
different ways ; the first is as follows : 
i. Pat a horse on the neck; examine 
him carefully, first on one side, then on the other, 
speaking encouragingly to him; then jump into the wag- 
on and give the word to go, and he will generally obey. 

2. Another way is by taking the horse out of the 
shafts and turning him around in a circle until he is 
giddy ; it will generally start him. 

3. And still another way to cure a balky horse is : 
Place your hand over his nose and shut off his wind 
until he wants to go. 

4. Then, again, you can take a couple of turns of 
stout twine around the fore leg just below the knee, tight 
enough for the horse to feel, tie in a bow-knot ; at the 
first click he will probably go dancing off. After going a 
short distance you can get out and remove the string to 
prevent injury to the tendons. Again you can try the 
following : 

5. Take the tail of a horse between the hind legs and 
tie it by a cord to the saddle-girth. 

6. Often by tying a string around a horse's ear, close 
to the head, it will divert his attention and start him. 



70 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

CHAPTER IX. 

SHOEING AND CARE OF THE FEET. 

More money is annually spent in doctoring horses' 
feet than for any other ailment of 
their bodies, consequently the neces- 
sity of sound feet in all horses is ap- 
parent. This member, though seem- 
ingly hard and callous, is in reality 
delicate and sensitive. It is won- 
derfully made and particularly 
adapted for the service it is intended 
to perform. The foot consists of a 
case or box, enclosing the soft deli- 
horse's foot. cate parts. It is capable of a lim- 
ited amount of elasticity; it resists shocks and is a bad 
conductor of heat. 

The covering of the foot consists of the wall or 
crust, sole and frog, and each has its particular function. 
The foot is easily affected by hard work and improper 
shoeing. 




THE SOLE 



The sole is at the bottom of the foot and 
has a V-shaped opening at the back for 
the frog. The thickness varies, but in most horses it is 
about one-sixth of an inch. It is concave. The sole is 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 71 

trbrous, but much softer than the wall. After attaining 
a certain length, the fibres break off in the form of 
flakes. The sole is adapted for sustaining weight on 
soft ground. It should never be pared or cut in any way 
whatever. The loose flakes serve to retain moisture, 
and help to reduce shocks, as well as keeping the horn 
underneath in a good condition. 



A GOOD 
FOOT 



A good foot always has a smooth crust ; 
a concave sole, not too hard ; a full elastic 
frog with centre complete ; and the heels 
low and free from crust. The darker 
the hoof, the harder it is. Shoes are 
a necessary evil; and, if possible, should 
not be worn. The only reason they 
are used is to prevent the undue wear- 
ing and breaking of the wall. They a good foot 

r. ij 1 -u v ti. -W1 PROPERTY SHOD. 

should always be as light as possible, 

taking into consideration the weight of the animal and 

the work required of them. 




The frog is the prominent triangular sub- 
stance which is at the back of the sole 



between the heels. In the middle of it is a fissure called 
the cleft. The frog has an important mission, as it acts 



72 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

as a cushion in diminishing shock, and it also prevents 
slipping. The frog is composed of elastic fibrous horn, 
and breaks off in flakes. It should always be on the 
ground, and never pared or cut. This cushion, always 
resting on the ground, keeps the feet sound. The more 
the frog is exposed the sounder it becomes. The sole 
and frog need no protection, and the loose flakes act as 
springs when walking on stones. 

The fore foot of the horse is the most important, as it 
supports more weight and is exposed to more wear. 



THE WALL 



The wall or crust sustains weight, is 
fibrous, and extends from the skin to the 
ground. The front is called the toe and the back the 
heel. It is about one-half inch thick 
in front and about one- quarter inch at 
the back. The wall grows very rap- 
idly. Horses, that are unshod, keep 
the wall worn down, but shod horses 
been on too ^ong. should frequently have the shoes taken 
off, that the excessive growth can be 
removed. The wall, on account of its fibrous nature, is 
well adapted to hold the nails used in shoeing, and, 
when looked at from the side, should form an angle of 
45° to 5°° with the line of the sole. 




CLEANING 
THE FEET 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 73 

It is the practice in some stables to wash 
and examine the horses' feet every morn- 
ing. The feet should always be cleaned 
out when the day's work is done. Road horses suffer from 
dry and hard feet. They should have frequent runs in 
pasture, and the feet well soaked in water. This will 
keep them healthy and soft. 



THE COLT'S 
FEET 



Wherever a number of colts are to- 
gether, the observer is astonished at the 
large majority of them having bad legs 
and feet, especially the toe deviated inward or outward. 
* „ . These deformities 

BV Me bIH 'ttBHfff m ^ ar man > r otherwise 
WyAj>* l mSk WW M good horses out of 

C^s vT j vTj fy theshowrin g- These 

defects are some- 

TOES DEVIATING INWARD AND OUTWARD. 

times due to natural 
formation and can never be remedied; but many of the 
defects are caused by neglect of the colt. The colt's feet 
should be carefully watched from its birth, and if proper 
attention is given while the foot is growing, a better and 
sounder horse will be the result. Frequently not only 
the hoof is deformed, but the bones are affected by the 
uneven wear of the wall. It can be readily seen that if 



74 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

one side is worn off more quickly than the other, the 
foot becomes unbalanced, and the weight of the animal 
causes the bones, which are now soft, to be changed in 
their axes. 

If the inner side is worn off more rapidly than the 
outer, the greater weight is supported on the inner side 
and the toe is turned outwards ; while if the greater 
weight is on the outer side, the toe is turned 
inward. The weight should always be 
distributed evenly over the bottom of the 
foot. 

As stated previously, the colt's foot 
should be rasped, not pared, and kept level. 
These little details, which require such a 
small outlay of time, are the ones that are 
important, and make the horse valuable. weight 

PROPERLY 

Frequent exercise is necessary for the proper distributed. 
strengthening of the feet. 

A colt's foot should be as round as possible, with an 
angle of from 45 ° to 50 at the front and 65 ° to 68° at 
the back. It should be narrower at the hairs than 
below. The heels should be well separated, vertical and 
about equal to one-half of the length of the toe. Concave 
sole and hard elastic frog, with the horn a dark color is 
preferable. 




PRATT S POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



75 



HOT WATER 

FOR 

THE FEET 



Hot water and Pratts Peerless Hoof Oint- 
ment are excellent for inflamed injuries 
of the feet. Place feet in hot water of 
even temperature for an hour morning and evening. 
When the foot is removed from the water, apply Pratts 
Peerless Hoof Ointment to the injury. Another excel- 
lent remedy to reduce inflammation when the horses are 
feverish is to stand them in mud up to the fetlocks. 



SHOEING 
THE COLT 



As long as the colt's feet are strong 
and tough he can be worked without 
being shod. When the hoof breaks and 

the feet become tender, have him shod 

with tips. Have the wall made level 

with a rasp, and on no condition allow 

the sole or frog to be interfered with or | 

cut. Two nails on each side are all 

that is required. Horses with good 

sound natural feet can, with care, go 

without shoes. 

TIPS. 




We are happy to say that shoeing in the 
last few years has become more of an 
art, and the shoes become a benefit to 
many horses, instead of an injury. Horses have been 



SHOEINQ 
THE HORSE 




76 RRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

shod from the earliest period, but many changes have 
taken place in the shape and size of the shoe. Every 
year the shoe becomes lighter and more adapted to the 
foot. The shoe must fit the foot and not 
the foot the shoe. Horses feet differ in 
formation. The Shire horse is flat and 
low-heeled, while the Arab is high- 
heeled and contracted. An unshod foot hoof made to 
of a good young horse should be taken SUI H SHO 
as a type. We will try to give some important rules in 
a brief manner. 

Every part of a horses foot has its use, and sustains 
a certain amount of weight, which must be remembered 

when shoeing. 

The shoe should be so con- 
structed that it follows the grad- 
ual curvature of the wall of the 
foot, giving the frog plenty of 

room to perform its function. 
cow's foot— type. r 

It should fit precisely and un- 
der no consideration should the foot be pared or rasped 
down to fit the shoe. 

If the shoe fits too closely at the frog, it prevents 
the action of the frog and causes contraction. The 
horse should be shod once a month. If this is done 







PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



77 




BAD NAILING. 



all that is necessary is to level the bottom crust of the 
wall of the foot. No scooping of the 
sole or cutting the frog is needed, as 
it will cause lameness. 

Use the very best drawn nails ; 
three nails on a side are all that is 
necessary. Too many nails are injuri- 
ous, and do not allow them to be 
tightly clinched. See that the nails are driven so that 
they take firm hold of the lower walls of the hoof and 
away from the sensitive part. The shoes must possess a 
level surface for the wall to rest upon, and no part of the 
sole or frog need touch the shoe. A 
shoe without caulks is the best ; it 
shpuld be of the same thickness all 
around and be light. The shoe should 
fit the hoof so closely that no water 
can get between. Don't chop or rasp 
the front of the foot. The rasp should 
only be used on bottom crust. Burn- 
ing the sole to procure a fit is very injurious. The heat 
drives the water out of the horny substance and causes 
it to become hard, contracted and brittle. Good horse- 
shoers never burn the hoof to make it fit the shoe. 




FOOT READY FOR 
SHOE. 






78 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



Pratts Peerless Hoof Ointment will prevent or overcome 
contraction. Horses that interfere must first be exam- 
ined in regard to position of the foot on the ground. If 
low on the inside, they should be raised from the point of 
the toe to the heel, which widens their gait. Horses for- 
aging should be shod light in front, and heavy behind. 



THRUSH AND 

ITS 
TREATMENT 



It is a foul discharge issuing from the 
cleft of the frog, attended with decay of 
the horn. If in the fore feet, it is gene- 
rally the result of navicular disease, 
or contraction of the feet. The foot 
feels hot and hard ; there is a slight 
moisture in the centre of a much- 
diminished frog. There is no smell 
unless a piece of tow is inserted into 
the cleft of the frog and withdrawn ; thrush. 

then it will be observed. In the hind feet it is entirely 
caused by filthy stables, allowing the feet to stand in 
decaying manure. It is very offensive. Pratts Veteri- 
nary Liniment will quickly cure thrush. Clean out the 
foot and pour the liniment over the affected parts. How- 
ever, as per our note on page 119, to mention other 
remedies besides Pratts, we give the following : Wash 




PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 79 

1:he feet thoroughly with chloride of zinc, two scruples ; 
water, one pint. Mix. 

Cut all the ragged parts away, and the white, pow- 
dery, decayed horn and substance, even if the flesh is 
exposed and the frog reduced ; replace shoe, and wash 
daily with chloride of zinc, one scruple ; water, eight 
ounces. Mix. 

Keep the feet clean, and use knife to remove white 
substance that may appear. Treat the fore feet the same 
way ; yet it is not always advisable to cure it. If caused 
by navicular disease, or contraction of the feet, the horse 
will go lame. Merely retard the decay of the horn. 



CORNS 



Corns are caused by bruises, resulting in 
horny tumors which push against the 
soft parts. Never cut them out, as this will cause a lack 
of support of the wall of the foot, and serve as a lodging- 
place for dust and stones, and is liable to cause separa- 
tion between the wall and sole. The part of the heel 
affected with the corn should be lowered and a side-caulk 
put on the shoe. This relieves the part from pressure, 
and keeps the foot soft. The foot should also be treated 
with applications of Pratts Peerless Hoof Ointment two 
or three times daily ; cover with oakum and keep iu 
place with leathers. 



80 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



CANKER AND 

ITS 
TREATMENT 




CANKER. 



Canker is very much like thrush, and 
rather an aggravated form of it. The 
discharge is more abundant and more 
offensive. It always commences at the seat of the thrush, 
but spreads over the sole. There will be large quanti- 
ties of horn of a fungous character 
which flake and peel off. The same 
causes produce it that produce 
thrush, but it seems to be more con- 
stitutional. It may affect one foot 
or all of the feet. Sometimes the 
treatment will cure all feet but one, 
where it seems to remain in spite of 
all remedies. Suddenly that foot may heal quickly, 
and the horse seem sound, when it will break out in 
another foot. Pratts Veterinary Liniment applied every 
two days will effect a cure. However, as per our note 
on page 119, to give another remedy, we mention the 
following : Cut away every portion of the detached and 
diseased horn as is possible, and apply this dressing : 
Chloride of zinc, one-half ounce ; wheat flour, four 
ounces. Mix. Apply to the foot dry. 

Apply to the sound part of the foot, before you 
dress with the above, the following : Chloride of zinc, 
four grains ; flour, one ounce. Mix. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



81 



Tack on the shoe and pad well over the sole ; con- 
fine the padding by pieces of iron running crosswise, 
with ends catching under the shoe. Repeat cutting and 
dressing every second day. As the parts get better, 
lessen space covered by the strongest dressing. 



SEEDY TOE 



Is the separation of two layers of horn 

( forming outside cover of the hoof. It 

commences at the toe, and can be 
seen when the shoe is off, or can be 
detected by tapping the hoof, which 
will sound hollow. The horse must 
not be worked. All outside portion 
of the hoof that has, separated must 
be cut off and stuffed with tow satu- 
rated with Pratts Peerless Hoof Ointment. This must 
be done every two weeks until the new hoof has grown 
out. The Ointment will quickly grow a new hoof. 




SEEDY TOE. 



PUMICE FOOT 

AND ITS 
TREATMENT 



It is a bulging down of the sole of the 
foot. The horse will walk on sole instead 
of the wall. Horses with long, slanting, 
weak pastern hoofs, marked by ringy growths of brittle 
character, flat sole, and large, healthy frogs, are most 



82 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



liable to it. The most success can be had by attending 
the shoeing, yet the natural weak- 
ness of the foot cannot be changed. 
A bar shoe should be prepared, the 
web covered with leather, the shoe 
nailed on with double the quantity 
of nails generally used, but smaller, 
leaving a bearing on the back part 
of the shoe for the frog. Soak the hoof an hour twice 
each day in a warm bath. Stuff the foot with tow satu- 
rated with Pratts Peerless Hoof Ointment. The shoe 
should be changed and adapted to the foot as it changes 
and improves. 




PUMICE FOOT 



FALSE 
QUARTER 



False quarter consists of ribs and furrows 
usually in the quarter of the hoof. It is 
caused by deficient secretion depending 
upon injury and destruction of the 
coronet by abscesses, etc. The 
horse should be put to pasture ; the 
pressure removed from the injured 
part by reduction of ground sur- 
fai,se quarter. face of the wall, and a bar shoe 
should be applied, utilizing the frog as a weight bearer. 




PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



83 



CONTRACTED 
FEET 



For contracted feet, when shoeing, see 
that blacksmith allows the proper amount 
of pressure to be communicated to the sole bars and heel 
of the crust. Of course the frog must be sound as well 
as the parts above it % Wash the foot and apply Pratts 
Peerless Hoof Ointment daily at top of foot both inside 
and outside. After hoof becomes pliable spread the 
heel with wedges and apply the Ointment daily. 



TREATMENT OP 
TREAD AND 
OVER-REACH 



This is the stepping of one foot on the 
other, often resulting in wounding the 
coronets by the caulks. Bathe three 
times a day with chloride of zinc, eight grains ; water, 
eight ounces. Mix. Protect from dirt and dust by a 
cloth. 



QUITTOR 



Quittor is a chronic abscess of the foot, the 
matter forming sinuses, from the trouble 

of finding a way to the surface. It is usually caused by 

a bruise of the sole, from a nail prick 

or from neglected thrush. An open- 
ing will be formed in the horn or 

coronet, from which a foul discharge 

issues. A dependent opening must 

be made, so that all matter can escape. 

A probe must be passed down as low quittor. 




84 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

as possible, and the sole pared away until the end is 
reached. An injection of a saturated solution of sulphate 
of zinc should be used every day. Treatment always 
has to depend on its extent and nature. 



LAMINITIS 



I,aminitis, or founder, a disease of the 
sensitive laminae (a sole and bone), is 
usually caused by over-exertion, or after-effects from 
chilling, inflammation of the lungs, bowels, mucous 
membrane of the bronchial tubes, etc. The sensitive 
foot becomes inflamed, the pulse is strong, thick and 
throbbing, and the horse lies down with legs stretched 
out. A case of acute laminitis is curable, if taken in 
time. Remove the shoe, and soak the feet in warm 
water for an hour and a half, then poultice entire foot 
with bran and boiled carrots, or slippery elm bark and 
linseed meal. Also apply Pratts Peer- 
less Hoof Ointment at night all over 
the bottom of the foot and to all parts 
of the frog and at top of hoof joining 
the hair, and cover the entire wall of 
the foot. The horse should stand on 
laminitis. a deep, soft bed. Give a purgative 
(about one-half the ordinary dose) and aconite (ten drops) 
every twenty minutes, until the animal perspires freely. 




PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



85 



Cover well with blankets. Change poultices twice a day, 
and after removing put the feet in hot water ; continue for 
four days. Feed bran mashes, vegetables and hay ; no 
grain. Use wide-webbed shoes two weeks after recovery. 



SAND 
CRACK 



Sand crack is an open fissure in the wall 
of the hoof, caused by strain, defect in 
secretion, etc. It causes lameness, and 
blood frequently oozes from the crack during motion. 
Reduce pain by having the shoe re- 
moved and poulticing. Open crack and 
remove horn from each side in contact 
with coronet for the space of an inch. 
Apply Pratts Peerless Hoof Ointment 
and cover with oakum. Use bar shoe, 
relieve pressure, and blister the coronet. 

SAND CRACK. 




HORN 
TUMORS 



Horn tumors are caused by bad horse- 
shoeing, the nails 
causing an irrita- 
tion, and the result being a horn 
tumor. The remedy is to pro- 
mote healthy growth by good 
shoeing. Use fine nails and have the shoe fit perfectly. 




HORN TUMORS. 



86 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

CHAPTER X. 

WOUNDS AND LAMENESS. 

Horses are always liable to wounds on almost every 
part of their bodies, and every owner should possess a 
knowledge of what to do in emergencies. We know of 
nothing better than the application of Pratts Veterinary 
Healing Ointment three times a day, rubbing it well into 
the wound. We also mention the following treatment, 
as per our note on page 119 : Always wash the wound 
thoroughly with cold water first, and see that no for- 
eign matter is embedded, and use a camphor or soap 
liniment. To stop the bleeding, cold water will often 
answer. If an artery is cut, the blood will be bright 
red and spurt out in jets, while a vein has darker blood 
and the flow is continuous, Bleeding is stopped by 
pressure, plugging the wound with tow, or sometimes the 
artery must be tied. Wounds of the flesh are usually 
lacerated, incised, punctured, contused, or abraded. 



Lacerated wounds are produced by tear- 
ing, and the edges ate ragged and un- 
even. If inflicted in the abdominal wall 
they are apt to prove fatal. All wounds should have the 



LACERATED 
WOUNDS 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



87 




divided edges brought together as quickly as possible, so 
that they will heal by adhesion. This 
can be done sometimes by bandages, 
but when the cut is lengthy and deep, 
sutures are the best. One way to insert 
a suture is to pass a pin through both 
edges of the skin, put a piece of twine 
over the point and head in the form of 
a figure 8, drawing the edges closely 
together. When a needle is used, with 
wire or thread, commence stitches 
about an inch or an inch and a half from wound. If wound 
is large, use two or more sutures. Tie ends tightly and 
cut off ends. Dress a lacerated wound with Pratts Vet- 
erinary Healing Ointment or with an astringent, such 
as, sulphate of zinc, one and one-half drachms ; tincture 
of myrrh, two fluid ounces ; cold water, one pint. Dis- 
solve the zinc in the water, then add the tincture. Label 
the mixture * ' Poison. ' ' 



SUTURES. 



INCISED 
WOUNDS 



Incised wounds are caused by a sharp 
instrument, and the skin is evenly di- 
vided. Hemorrhage frequently occurs, 
as the blood vessels are apt to be cut. Wash and clean 
thoroughly, stop the bleeding, close wound by sutures if 



88 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

necessary and use Pratts Veterinary Healing Ointment 
or the lotion as directed for lacerated wounds. 



PUNCTURED 
WOUNDS 



Punctured wounds are usually the most 
dangerous, as it is hard to tell how deep 
the injury extends. The mouth of the 
wound contracts and is smaller than the interior. If the 
matter which forms cannot be expelled, abscesses are the 
result. The opening should be made larger by inserting 
a sharp knife into the wound and cutting downward a 
trifle. This cut will soon heal. Treat same as other 
wounds ; dress with Pratts Veterinary Healing Ointment 
or with the lotion as for lacerated wounds. 



CONTUSED 
WOUNDS 



Contused wounds are caused by falls, 
blows, etc., and are serious, as the mus- 
cles and soft parts are badly jammed. 
If swollen very much and filled with matter, make a 
sharp cut through the centre, then treat as a lacerated 
wound. Other contused wounds not so serious should 
be covered with flannel and kept continually wet 
with water, at a temperature of n8° Fahrenheit, for 
at least four or five hours. Follow this with liniments 
of camphor or ammonia, but, better still, Pratts 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 89 

Veterinary Liniment will be found excellent for this 
purpose, as it does its work more quickly than any other 
preparation. 

Abraded wounds should be thoroughly 
drenched with water, and then an appli- 
cation of Pratts Veterinary Liniment or 

kerosene oil can also be used. The oil will heal the 

wound and restore the hair. 



ABRADED 
WOUNDS 



HARNESS 
GALLS 



Injury from the harness occurs from 
unclean or bad -fitting harness. The 
parts should be kept perfectly clean, 
and Pratts Veterinary Healing Ointment applied under 
each sore spot that comes under the harness. This 
should be done night and morning. The horse can be 
worked every day. In accordance with our explanation 
on page 119, we also suggest the use of the following 
lotion applied three times a day : Sulphate of zinc, three- 
quarters of an ounce ; sugar of lead, one ounce ; tincture 
of myrrh, two ounces ; soft water, one quart. Shake 
before using. The above is good for healing purposes. 

. ..n.n 1 Lameness is caused by many different 
LAMENESS | 

things, but bad shoeing is the principal 



cause of the many lame horses we see on the streets. 
Lameness in the hind feet is always more serious than 



oo 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



when it is in the fore feet. When one fore foot is 
injured, the head and body drop or slightly sink when 
the sound one touches the ground. When one hind foot 
is injured, the head of the horse will be raised when the 
sound foot touches the ground ; while the hind portion 
of the body drops on that side. Pratts Veterinary Lini- 
ment will quickly relieve. 



HOWTODETECT 

LAMENESS IN 

THE HIP-JOINTS 



This joint is 
sometimes ul- 
cerated, and the , 
symptoms resemble occult spa- 
vin, with the addition that the 
diseased leg is caught up from ^ %mh 
the ground more sharply. The lameness in hip-joint. 
best way to test is to place something soft over the joint 
and rap it sharply with a mallet. A sharp response may 
be looked for. It is incurable. The horse is worthless. 




HOW TO 
DETECT LAMB- 
NESS IN THE 
SHOULDER 



Sometimes the shoulder is ulcerated. 
The trouble generally arises in a muscle 
at the shoulder-joint. In this case the 
horse will not advance or bend the leg at the shoulder- 
joint or elbow ; drags the leg and never lifts the toe from 
the ground. An old test is to lead the horse up to a log, 



PR/1TTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 01 

if he refuses to pass over it, the shoulder is the spot. 
When lameness is in both shoulders, he will rest his feet 
backward, not pointing forward, and will be stiff in the 




HOW TO 

DETECT LAME 

NESS IN THE 

KNEE-JOINT 



LAMENESS IN SHOULDER. 

muscles and also when turning around. Rub Pratts 
Veterinary Liniment well over the joints once a day. 

Any disease of this joint that cannot be 
seen from the outside will show in a stiff- 
ened advance of the foreleg, a long step, 
or when the horse lies down he will place the leg on the 
outside of the body, not under it and not closely bent ; 
otherwise the horse may show no signs of lameness. 

Also examine the feet for diseases next to the coffin 
joint — that is, between the hoof and hock joint — and so 
on up, including the shoulder. It is usually found 
before you reach the shoulder-joint. There is nothing 
better to cure lameness in knee-joint than Pratts Veteri- 
nary Liniment. Rub it in well once a day. 



92 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



SPRAINS OFTHB 
TENDONS AND 

THEIR 
TREATMENT 



A horse is liable to have the tendons of 
both fore and hind legs badly sprained 
from hard work, fast heats, or reckless 
driving. There are different names for strains, according 
to the injury and location; when it first occurs it is hardly 
noticeable, unless it happens to be very severe ; the next 
morning, however, the horse will be stiff and cramped, 
which may disappear on exercise, to return the follow- 
ing morning. If more severe, the horse will keep the 
leg bent and only rest the toe on the ground. By care- 
fully examining (as previously mentioned in looking for 
lameness) a swelling may be detected, which is hot. If 
it is but slight, it can be found only by pressure, as a 
sound tendon is not at all tender and will bear almost 
any amount of pressure ; first put on a shoe made gradu- 
ally thick [from toe to heel, the heel an inch higher 
than the toe, no caulks ; then bathe the leg placed in a 
pail of milk-warm water for one hour ; repeat this three 
times a day until inflammation is gone. A cure can 
quickly be effected with Pratts Veterinary Liniment — 
rub it in well twice a day, after second day apply once 
a day. Another remedy, as per our note on page 119, 
is as follows : Between the bathing, bandage the leg from 
knee to fetlock, the bandage being saturated with the 
following : Acetic acid, two fluid ounces ; chloroform, two 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 93 

fluid ounces ; opium, two ounces ; water, one quart. 
Mix. 

When the fever has left, apply a blister to the whole 
tendon from knee to fetlock. Before doing so, clip off 
the hair. The blister can be powdered cantharides, 
iodine, and Venice turpentine, of each one drachm, and 
palm oil, two ounces. About half an ounce of this 
will be enough to blister. It will be hardly necessary 
to repeat it. We advise a couple of months' rest. 



CAPPED ELBOW 
SHOE BOIL AND 
ITSTREATMENT 



It is located on the elbow of front leg, and 
is caused by the pressure of the shoe 
against it while the horse is lying down. 
It can be prevented by putting leather boots on the fore 
feet. If it has just occurred and is inflamed, reduce it 
with cold water and evaporating lotions. Pratts Vet- 
erinary Liniment is good. If it has broken, syringe the 
boil out three or four times daily with the following : 
Carbolic acid, one ounce ; tincture opium, four fluid 
ounces ; soft w r ater, one quart. Mix. Or Pratts Veteri- 
nary Liniment, which will be found quick in healing. 

If any callus remains after healing, or inflammation 
has gone down, apply blister of biniodide of mercury 
and lard, same as used in capped hock. 



94 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



CAPPED HOCK 

AND ITS 

TREATMENT 




It is generally caused by kicking against 
the swingle-tree and bruising 
the point of the hock, caus- 
ing heat, swelling and lameness. A cheap, 
quick remedy can be had in Pratts Veteri- 
nary Iyiniment. Rub it in twice a day until {At , rn(MIO c R 
the enlargements disappear. However, as per our note 
on page 119, we also suggest the following : Take one 
pound of sal-ammoniac and dissolve it in three pints of 
vinegar, and bathe the injured limb every one or two 
hours. If it is not all gone in a week, blister the cap 
with biniodide of mercury (one part) and eight parts 
lard ; or the tincture of iodine may be applied morning 
and evening with tooth-brush, until the parts are blis- 
tered ; then stop for a few days. 

Knee-sprung is caused by contracted 
tendons. The animal often goes over 
sufficiently to make the gait unsteady, 
and frequently trembles. Blistering and bathing have 
only temporary effect, as working brings on the symp- 
toms again. By slightly raising the heels of the shoes, 
enough to permit the animal to have a solid foundation 
to stand upon and not strain the defective tendons, will 
prevent the trembling mentioned, besides preventing 
ihe animal from balancing himself upon his toes, which 



KNEE-SPRUNQ 

AND ITS 

TREATMENT 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 06 

habit will eventually change the form of the hoof. 
Often, in extreme cases, a surgical operation to divide 
the tendons is the only mode of relief. 



SWELLED LEO 

AND ITS 

TREATMENT 



The cause is generally overfeeding, es- 
pecially when the animal is not called 
upon to perform his ordinary labor. 
Some cases derive from other causes. Horses once at- 
tacked with it are liable to have it again. As the swell- 
ing increases, the pain and lameness pass away. It is 
commonly known as water farcy. Pratts Veterinary 
Liniment will quickly reduce the swelling. Another 
remedy, however, as per note on page 119, is as follows : 
Commence by giving one drachm of iodide of potassium 
three times a day, and apply by rubbing the following 
liniment over the whole limb : Gum camphor, three 
ounces ; tincture of arnica, four fluid ounces ; tincture 
of aconite, two fluid ounces ; alcohol, one pint. Mix. 

Particular attention must be paid to the food and 
care. Pratts food is of great assistance in this disease. 



ATTENTION 

TO 

WOUNDS, BTC. 



It is absolutely necessary that a horse 
to recover perfectly from wounds or 
bruises, must have good food, bedding 
and attention. 

Give warm mashes, oats, green food and Pratts 



96 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

Food. This latter will do much to put the horse in a 
condition to prevent complications from setting in and 
ward off all diseases prevalent when the horse is wounded. 
If the horse is feverish, give several times a day, aconite 
in doses of ten drops. Keep wounds clean and, if a 
surgeon is called, follow his directions faithfully. How- 
ever, practically every case can be successfully treated 
by the use of Pratts Veterinary Healing Ointment. 



KNUCKLING 

AND ITS 
TREATMENT 



Knuckling may be caused by heavy haul- 
ing, fast work on an uneven surface, bad 
shoeing, etc. ; these things should be 
avoided. The only remedy is to apply a good sharp 
blister, and immediately after, fire the joint Boots, 
bandages and such artificial means have very little effect. 



DEMAND 

FOR GOOD 

HORSES 



CHAPTER XI. 

PROFIT AND LOSS — GENERAL HINTS. 

There is a good demand at all times for 
first-class horses, and breeders that raise 
first-class road, carriage, saddle and 
draught horses reap a harvest. The supply is not equal 
to the demand ; but it must be remembered that the 
public want style and finish. It is possible to breed 
American draught horses to beat the world, the same as 
the American-bred trotters have for years excelled all 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



97 




A DRAUGHT MARK. 

others. Good horses must have good breeding ; a high- 
bred stallion is always in demand. 



BREEDING 

THAT DON'T 

PAY 



The reason that much of the breeding 
does not pay is due to the fact that the 
breeding stock is inferior. A small, 
undersized mare, with no good qualities, cannot produce 
a valuable colt. To produce salable horses, the parents 
must possess the characteristics of the type of animal 
desired. You cannot get a first-class driver from a road 
mare, or a fine draught horse from any kind of a mare, 
even if the stallion is good. Good driving horses cannot 
be secured from breeding draught mares with road horses. 



BREEDINQ 

THAT DOES 

PAY 



Breed the best road mares to the best 
road stallions, the best draught mares to 
the best draught stallions, etc. By breed- 



98 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

ing in this way you will have horses that can be sold at a 
good price. If the breeders in this country would breed 
first-class saddle horses they could sell all of them in the 
European market. Another branch is to breed horses suit- 
able to the express companies and large department stores. 
They are always in need of first-class horses, and pay 
good prices for them. It is also a well-known fact that 
stylish carriage horses are always salable. Breed the 
best, or none at all. Profit is for the wise breeder, while 
loss is sure for the careless. 



BREEDING 
THE TROTTER 



No one should attempt to breed trotting 
horses unless he has time and money. 
It is said that the breeder who makes the money strives 
to produce speed, sound and game horses. What pur- 
chasers want are individuality, nerve, soundness, good 
temper and staying qualities. In breeding race horses 
you must expect many disappointments, and be prepared 
to meet them. 
the horse's I It is important that horses should have 

TEBTH 1 good teeth, that their food 
may be properly masticated. Many buyers 
look at a horse's mouth to tell age, but do 

*> ' A GOOD TOOTH, 

not examine carefully whether the teeth 

are good or bad. An adult horse has in each jaw six 

incisors, or fore teeth, followed on either side by a tush. 




PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 




ADUI/T HORSE'S JAW. 



Next comes a series of six 
grinders on each side in 
Loth jaws. The grinders 
have a square crown, marked 
with four crescents formed 



by the laminae of enamel which are embedded in them. 
The bar is the space between the tushes and the grinders. 
Up to nine years the age of a horse can be accurately 




A2VKS 



HORSE'S TEETH. 

told by the changes which take place in the teeth. By 
studying the drawings anyone can tell the age of a horse. 



L of C.j 



100 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 




I2VHS 
HORSES* TEKTH. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 101 



CARE OP 

MANE AND 

TAIL 



If the horse carries his tail on one side, a 
slight surgical operation which divides 
the muscles on the inner side of the curve 
of the tail, and tying it over toward the opposite side 
until it heals, is necessary. The superficial muscles only 
are divided. Wash the mane and tail thoroughly once 
a week. To increase the growth, kerosene oil mixed 
with sweet oil, well rubbed into the roots, will do it. 
To prevent rubbing the mane and tail, wash with 
warm soap-suds and apply with a sponge a lotion made 
of a fluid ounce of sulphuric acid in a quart of water. 
Use twice daily. 



TENDER 
flOUTHS 



Always have the bit to fit properly. It 
should be silver-plated. The rein and 
bridle must also be of the proper length. 
If the horse's mouth becomes very sore, cover the bit 
with calfskin and apply daily to the mouth a lotion of 
an ounce of tannic acid in a pint of water. Never put 
an ice-cold bit into a horse's mouth. 



TYING AND 
DRIVING 



If a horse has a long distance to go, drive 
slow at first. In tying a horse, have tail 
towards the wind, and blanket as quickly 



as possible. Keep horses out of drafts. For a cold, feed 



102 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



Pratts Food and a cure will follow. After a hard drive 
in bad weather, rub him all over, blanket carefully and 
when rested give nourishing food. 



Cribbing is a vice hard to overcome. 
Tie the horse in a stall where there is 
no manger, and feed from a box, which 
should be removed as soon as he has finished eating. If 



TO CURE 
CRIBBING 




TO PREVENT CRIBBING. 



this does not cure him, tie with two ropes so that he 
cannot get hold of anything with his teeth. 



HOW TO PRE- 
VENT A HORSE 
PAWING IN 
THE STALL 



To prevent a horse pawing in the stall, 
make a frame four feet long, and of width 
to nearly reach to the top of the manger, 
from which it is suspended, allowing it to reach within 
about ten inches of the floor ; board up the sash or frame 
so that he cannot get his feet over the lower bar, which is 
made of a round stick two inches in diameter. When 
he paws he will set the frame in motion and cause it to 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



103 



strike his shins, which will so disgust him that he will 
give up the habit. 



HOW TO PRE- 
VENT HORSES 
FROM CHEWING 
BRIDLE 



To prevent this, mix bitter aloes in a 
solution of gum arabic. Rub it on the 
part of the bridle that the horse is in the 



habit of chewing, and it will stop him. 



«DrtnMiw« I F° r the comfort, health and beauty of 

vJivvlvliVlIINCJ I 

I the horse, good daily grooming is neces- 
sary. If possible, the grooming should not be done in 
the stall, but in a shed constructed for that purpose. 




GROOMING. 



Good grooming removes dirt, the products of perspira- 
tion from the skin and beautifies the coat. It also stimu- 
lates the skin and hair and allows the body to perform 



104 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

its function more thoroughly. Grooming is placed next 
to feeding and watering in importance. The curry-comb 
is intended to be used only when the hair is glued to the 
skin and to clean the dirty dry legs of work horses. It 
should be used with gentleness, as it hurts the sensitive 
skin of some horses and makes them irritable. The 
principal use of the curry-comb is to clean the brush. 
In brushing, do it with vigor ; have all dust, loose hair 
and dandruff removed, then rub until the coat shines. 
A well-groomed horse always looks clean, shining and 
healthy. Never cut the hair from the legs of a horse. 
It was put there for a certain mission and should remain. 
If the horse's legs are washed, carefully dry them 
immediately afterwards. Never use the comb on the 
mane and tail unless absolutely necessary; the brush 
is much better. Using the comb constantly reduces the 
hair. A fine coat, so desirable in horses, can be attained 
by feeding Pratts Food and proper grooming, and the 
value of the horse greatly increased. 



CLIPPING 
AND 

SINGEING 



Clipping and singeing is a great benefit 
to horses, if it is done properly at the 
right time and the horse is cared for after- 
wards. A horse that is not clipped is seldom dry and 
clean. Clipping enables the horse to work better, be 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 105 

brighter and have more vigor. Clipping consists of 
removing the thick coat by a clipping machine which 
cuts the hair. Singeing burns off the hair by means of 
a lamp charged with gas. Both methods have their 
friends, but clipping seems to be the favorite in this 
country. Some owners think that thick hair should not 
be removed, but those who have given the subject much 
study affirm that horses are kept in an artificial condi- 
tion, and the rough coat unfits them for work. It is cer- 
tainly true that a thick coat wet with perspiration or 
rain is conducive to colds. The time for clipping 
depends upon the horse, but September and October are 
the favorite months. Never remove hairs from the ears 
or the long bristles around a horse's mouth, eyes or 
nostrils. 



CLOTHING 



Clothing is necessary for fine-skin horses 

that do fast work in cold weather. In 

fact race horses are usually clothed all the year. It is 
not necessary to clothe horses doing ordinary work, un- 
less the stable is very cold. Too much clothing renders 
the skin sensitive. 

comfort I When a horse comes in from work, have 
in the stall | every thing i n the stall for his comfort. 



See that the bedding is liberal. The best litter is made 



106 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



of good wheat straw. It is necessary for a horse's health 
that he has a certain amount of rest. Have the stall 
large enough that a horse can lie down with his legs 
stretched out. Always have horses that agree with each 
other in adjoining stalls. Have the stable perfectly 
quiet at night. 



GIVING 
MEDICINE 



When it is necessary to administer a 
"ball" of medicine, it takes practice 




GIVING A BAIJ,. 



and tact. Hold the ball 
between the forefingers of 
the right hand, making 
the hand as small as pos- 
sible. Grasp the horse's 
tongue with the left hand; 
carefully pull it out and 
place it on that part of 
the lower jaw which is bare of teeth. Insert the right 
hand into the mouth as far as possible, leaving the ball 
at the root of the tongue; withdraw the hand, release the 
tongue, which forces the ball still farther back, and close 
the horse's mouth. Hold the horse's head up, until he 
swallows the ball, which can be plainly seen passing 
down the gullet. It is best to have one person to admin- 
ister the medicine and another to hold the horse's head. 




PRATT S POINTERS ON THE HORSE 107 

To give a drink or drench, pour the 
medicine into a strong bottle, raise the 
horse's head and pour in about three or 
four ounces at a time. If he refuses to 
swallow, close the nostrils for a moment. 

bau, passing If he chokes, lower his head at once. 
DOWN gui,i«et- , . 

Poultices are for allaying pains, soften- 
ing the tissues, etc. They should always be large, kept 
moist, and applied for a considerable time. 

When fomentation is used, have the water hot and 
maintained at an even temperature as long as required. 

After poulticing and fomenting, dry thoroughly 
and bandage to protect from the air. 



CHAPTER XII. 

DIFFERENT BREEDS. 

There are many different breeds of horses, — so many, 
in fact, that it is impossible to describe all within the 
space allotted to this chapter; so we mention only those 
that are prominent and noted for excellence in their 
particular line. 

iv „ v . The Arabian is a distinct variety, and 
ARABIAN I 

one of the most beautiful of all breeds. 



The Arabian horse is noted for its wide forehead, fine 






108 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



muzzle, width of jaws, small ears, prominent full eyes, 
arched neck, muscular shoulder and high withers. The 
tail is always carried grace- 
fully. The hips are mus- 
cular; the hocks and knees 
large and well formed, and 
the feet small and sound. 
Arabian horses are usually 
bay, black or gray ; and 
they stand about fifteen 
hands high. They are brave, but very docile, and become 
greatly attached to their owner. Asia is their native 
home, but they are imported to all parts of the globe. 




ARABIAN. 



HACKNEY 



The Hackney is the fashionable driving 
cart and car- 



riage horse of the present 

day. He is an English-bred 

trotter of a certain type. 

The Hackney is compactly 

built, has bright eye, fine 

high knee action and much 

intelligence. A breeder of hacknsy. 

Hackneys has a good sale for his horses, as they are 

always in demand. 




PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



109 



CLEVELAND 
BAY 



The Cleveland 

Bay is from 

the Cleveland 
district, Yorkshire, England. 
Their color is a pure bay, 
ranging from light to dark. 
They are very popular on 
account of their good consti- ci,evei,and bay. 

tution, large bone and endurance. They are excellent 
for carriage horses and make a fine appearance. 




YORKSHIRE 
BAY 



The Yorkshire Bay is from Yorkshire, 
England, and is a cross between the 
Cleveland Bay and the English Thor- 
oughbred. They are said to be the finest carriage horses 
in the world, possessing fine action and endurance. They 
are a rich bay, with legs, mane and tail black. They 
have arched necks and high-set tails, while the entire 
make-up of the horse is graceful. 



nORQAN 



The Morgan, an American horse, has de- 
scended from Justin Morgan, foaled in 
1793. They are noted for their staying qualities, courage, 
good action and their beauty. The Morgans are trotting 
roadsters, going many miles without discomfort. 



110 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



THE BART 



The Bart is of African origin ; but they 
are coarser and smaller than the Arabian. 
The Spanish horse has descended from this breed. It is 
also said the best English stock has Bart blood in it. 
The Bart has a small head, good ears, large neck, the 
shoulders light, sloping and broad, withers high, loins 
straight and short, flanks and ribs round and well de- 
veloped, haunches strong, legs clean and the tendons 
clearly marked, long pastern and the feet sound and of 
good shape. The height is about fourteen and a half 
hands. They are not as speedy nor have as much spirit 
as the Arabian. 



ENGLISH 
THOROUGH- 
BREDS 



To describe the English Thoroughbred, 
their origin and subsequent history, 
would take 



several volumes. The Eng- 
lish Thoroughbreds contain 
Arab and Turkish blood. 
They are about 15 hands, 3 
inches high, and are usually 
bay, brown, or chestnut. 
The hair is silky and the 
skin thin. The head and neck are light; the body 
moderately long ; the back muscular and hips wide. 




ENGLISH THOROUGHBRED. 



PRATT S POINTERS ON THE HORSE 111 

The chest should be well developed, shoulder muscular 
and legs flat and strong. The hind quarter must have 
good length and volume of muscle. The pasterns 
should be long, and feet of fair size and sound. 



CLYDES- 
DALE 



The Clydesdale horse is especially desired 
by farmers, on account of their size, cour- 
age, activity and endurance. The Clydes- 
dale is bred in the districts bordering on the Clyde, and 
they owe their origin to one of the dukes of Hamilton 
who crossed a Lanark mare with a stallion from Flanders. 
The Clydesdale has a long, low back; short, flat ribs; 
good strong legs, and long pasterns. For farm-work they 
cannot be surpassed. (Illustration of Clydesdale, see 
page 46.) 

I ^e Norman horse is hardy and compact, 
1 but slow. They have low bodies and 

short legs ; good constitutions and very strong feet, which 

stand almost any amount of hard wear. 



SHIRE 



The Shire horse is one of the best horses 
for heavy work. They are large, well- 
built, powerful, good-tempered, and have much endur- 
ance. The Shire is slower, but stronger, than the Clydes- 



112 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



dale. They have large heads, roomy bodies, wide hips, 
broad and muscular loins, fore arms and thighs powerful 
and hocks broad. The legs are very hairy. (Illustra- 
tion of Shire, see page 47.) 



CANADIAN 



The Canadian 
horse is hardy, 



courageous and has great en- 
durance. His crest is lofty, 
breast broad, heavy shoulders, 
broad back, round muscular 
croup, with good strong legs 
and feet. The fetlocks are Canadian. 

shaggy, and the mane and tail very full and long. A 
peculiarity of the breed is the crimpled wave to the tail; 
and feet that are sound and free from disease. 




BELGIAN 



The Belgian 
horses are 
good for slow purposes, and 
are imported into this coun- 
try in large quantities. 
They are very heavy and 
only good for work which 
requires slow walking. 




BELGIAN. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



118 



PERCHERON 



The Percheron is 
another horse 



especially adapted for heavy 
work. They are beautiful ani- 
mals, and possess all the good 
qualities of the Clydesdale and 
Shire. Choose those animals 
that are of good size and evenly 
proportioned with a good road gait 




PERCHERON. 



HUNTERS 



Much care has been spent on the breed- 
ing of the Hunter, and a magnificent 
animal, well fitted for his 
work, is the result. A Hun- 
ter must have speed, endur- 
ance, strength, and good 
temper. The requisites of 
a good Hunter are a good 
mouth, a high sloping shoul- 
der, good limbs and joints, hunter. 
loins and hind quarters should be wide and long, thighs 
long and muscular. It is also necessary that they have 
good wind, perfect action and judgment. A perfect 
Hunter is a perfect horse, as it requires perfection to 
fulfil its duties. 




114 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



FRENCH 
COACH 



The French 

Coach is the 

ideal carriage 
horse, and is noted for its grace- 
ful carriage, strength and en- 
durance. The French Coach 
is the result of years of the 
most careful breeding; and the 
outcome is almost a perfect 
horse. Great care and attention is given in France to the 
breeding of horses, and they are well paid for their trouble. 




FRENCH COACH. 



SHETLAND 
PONY 



The Shetland 

pony is about 

10^ hands high. 
They are strong, hardy and 
active, while possessing great 
beauty. They have small 
heads, good shoulders, backs and quarters, with long 
mane and tail. They come from the Shetland Islands, 
which are north of Scotland. 




SHETLAND PONY. 



INDIAN 
PONY 



The Indian Pony is a rare combination 
of strength, endurance and activity. 
They are about thirteen hands high and 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



116 



possess a high crest, full mane and tail, strong body, and 
legs and feet that are strong and lasting. They run 
wild in the Northwest prairies. 



The American Thoroughbred is descen- 
ded from stock imported from the Eng- 
lish Thoroughbreds. They are unri- 
valed as trotters ; and the great care bestowed upon the 



AnERICAN 
THOROUGH- 
BRED 




PACER, TROTTER, RUNNER. 

breeding has given America a strain of horses unequaled 
anywhere. They have a beautiful wiry frame, great 



116 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



elasticity of muscle and are noted for endurance. The 
records of pacers, trotters and runners are marvelous. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

THK MULE. 

It is strange that the 

value of a good mule is not 

more generally appreciated. 

Mules are superior to horses 

for many kinds of work. 

They stand fatigue better, 

and their skin is hard and 

tough, enabling them to bear 

the mule. heavy weights and brave all 

kinds of weather. Mules live as long as horses and are 

much cheaper to keep. They are seldom sick. 




BREEDING 
riULES 



The best mules are bred from a good, 
low, heavy Jack and an average-sized, 
compact mare. Mules bred from a horse 

stallion and a mare ass are gentle, but are not hardy and 

are usually small. 

As mules always inherit the shape and disposition 

of the sire more than the dam, great care should be used 

in selecting him. Secure the best that can be obtained 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 117 

and breed him to a mare standing about fourteen hands 
high. Mules are not full grown before they are five 
years old. The best mules have a good strong neck, 
bright eye, broad chest, compact body and strong legs. 

The male mule is stronger than the female, but not 
so gentle. The best height is about thirteen and one- 
half hands high. 



A MULE'S 
WORK 



Mules are excellent for farm- work, and 
do all kinds in a manner that excels a 
team of horses. In the mountainous 
regions mules are indispensable. They are especially 
adapted for army work, on canals, in mines and for work 
where patience and steadiness are wanted. Mules are not 
as fast as horses, but are not as excitable and can always 
take take care of themselves. 



BREAKING 

AND 
TRAINING 



The education of mules should begin as 
early as possible. Train them first with 
a halter and lead them until they are 
perfectly accustomed to it. The reason so many mules 
are irritable and unmanageable is on account of im- 
proper training. It is the opinion of some trainers that 
the more abuse you give a mule the better. This is a 
mistake. Gentleness and kindness is as much a neces- 



118 PRATTS POINTERS OS THE HORSE 

sity in training mules as it is in training horses. A 
mule's ears are very sensitive and they should never be 
hit or squeezed. Accustom them to be handled, but do 
it in the right manner. The proper training will result 
in a good, gentle and obedient animal. They are 
usually shy ; but this is characteristic and is not a serious 
fault. Always have good, strong harness; the collar 
should fit perfectly; the bit should not be too thin. 



CARE OF 
THE MULE 



Mules must be shod very carefully on 
account of the peculiar construction of 
their feet. A neglected hoof of a mule 

soon renders the animal useless. When a mule is 

fatigued, his ears will swing backwards 

and forwards ; when very tired, his head 

droops, and the ears fall backwards. 

Mules are fed similar to horses, al- neglected 

HOOK 

though a smaller amount of food is nec- 
essary. Very small animals are fed only twice a day. 
Keep the mules in comfortable quarters; they do not 
require as much attention as horses. 




PROFIT IN 
MULES 



Good mules are always salable. In fact, 
the reason that more of them are not 
used is the difficulty in securing them. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 119 

In war times the mule becomes an important factor, and 
all that can be secured are bought. 



NOTE 



CHAPTER XIV. 

READ THIS CAREFULLY. 

In treating on diseases of the horse, we 



have endeavored in all cases to give, in 
our judgment, the very best remedies. Where Pratts 
Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition 
Powder is named, we consider it the best for the case, 
and in our actual practice we should use it and no 
other. 

At the same time, as this book is intended to be a 
standard work of general information, we specify other 
remedies in addition to our own preparations, preferring 
to give other information in our possession, thereby 
allowing the reader the choice of remedies. 

We feel it advisable to specially call attention to the 
fact that Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator and Pratts 
Condition Powder are known as the greatest Animal 
Regulators of the present day. They are strictly up-to- 
date articles, and are used and endorsed by many thous- 
ands of horse owners throughout the United States, Eu- 
rope and other foreign countries. 



120 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

Every package is sold under our affidavit, guaran- 
teeing its freeness from poisons or other injurious ingre- 
dients. They are pure and wholesome, and can be used 
without the least fear of bad results that often follow 
many unreliable remedies. 

We manufacture these three remedies for horses, but 
do not claim that one is better than another. We simply 
let our patrons take their choice, with the understanding 
that, no matter which one may be selected, positively 
satisfactory results will be obtained. 

Our well-known remedies control and regulate the 
blood, bowels and digestive organs ; act as mild tonics 
and stimulants, and thereby cure and prevent the many 
diseases arising from these causes, and are used with 
greater success than any known preparation. 

They are composed of roots, herbs and barks of the 
best quality only, and manufactured with the greatest 
care and exactness ; the utmost cleanliness is observed. 

They are quick in action, safe to use and high-grade 
preparations in every particular. 

In mixing them with the feed, at first it may be 
well to dampen them. When fed dry, however, be care- 
ful to see that they do not sift through the feed and lie 
uneaten at the bottom of the trough. After animals be- 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 121 

come acquainted with the flavor, they are quite fond of 
them and eat them with a relish. 



APHTHA. 

In aphtha both lips are swollen ; the horse has a 
full appearance and will not eat. The tongue is swollen 
and lumps appear on the tongue and around the mouth, 
which are hard at first, but soon soften and contain a 
clear fluid, finally burst and a scab forms. The end of 
the disease is marked by the falling off of this scab. 

There is nothing better for aphtha than Pratts 
Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition 
Powder, and they can be used in conjunction with the 
following : Mix four ounces of borax and one and a half 
pints of molasses in a gallon of hot water. After cool- 
ing the head should be held up and half a pint poured 
into the mouth and held there for a short time ; then 
drop the head and allow it to run out. Do this several 
times each day. 



BAD TEETH. 
Frequently a tooth will grow up into an open space, 
probably where a tooth has been lost. It keeps on grow- 
ing until it finally pierces the gum. The horse will at 



122 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

times throw out the food when it is only half chewed. 
It will frequently cause nasal gleet or running of the 
nose, and indigestion. Sometimes the molars become 
sharp as a knife and cut the sides of the mouth. Proper 
filing and care of the teeth is all that is necessary. 
Wolf teeth are superfluous teeth and should be drawn 
out. 

BIG HEAD. 

Big head is known by a lump or bony tumor on 
the face between the nostrils and the eye, which finally 
breaks out in small holes, discharging a thick substance. 
It ends in a complete diseased state of the bony structure. 
It is caused by a weakness in the parents of the horse. 
It is even known to descend in the horse family for four 
or five generations, and a horse bred from stock like 
this is almost sure to have the same disease, no matter 
what preventives are taken. 

It is caused in the first place by poor food and lack 
on the part of the animal of assimilating the phosphates. 
It is well to steer clear of a horse where this disease is 
known to have been in the family, even though it has 
been a couple of generations back. 

A horse predisposed to big head, however, can have 
no better advantages for building up his health than by 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 123 

feeding Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts 
Condition Powder regularly three times a day. They aid 
him in digesting his food and assimilating it and keep 
the blood and bowels in good shape. Consequently, if 
there is an opportunity of the horse outliving the disease, 
these remedies will be the best assistance he can have. 
At the same time the tumor should be removed by 
making a cut over it with a sharp knife, and the wound 
then syringed daily with one fluid drachm of solution of 
carbolic acid, one drachm of chloride of zinc, mixed in a 
quart of water. 

However, in accordance with our note on page 119, 
to give another remedy, we mention the following, to be 
given in a mash night and morning, one tablespoonful 
at a dose : Two ounces of powdered ginger ; four ounces 
of Peruvian bark ; six ounces of phosphate of lime. In 
addition, give one drachm of iodide of potassium in a 
mash each day at noon. 



BIvOODY URINE. 

Bloody urine generally consists of small clots of 

blood in the urine. Sometimes, after standing a while, 

they mingle with the urine and give it a brownish 

color. The symptoms are as follows : The breathing is 



124 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 




BLOODY URINE, 



short and quick; the pulse 
is completely lost at the 
jaw ; the eyes are di- 
lated ; the head droops 
and the back is arched J 
the hind feet are far apart. 

Pratts Food, Pratts 
Animal Regulator or 
Pratts Condition Powder 
has been most successful in cases of bloody urine. At 
first it should be given in double doses in gruel form, 
and then gradually reduced, as the animal becomes 
better, to the regular dose mixed with the feed of the 
animal. Where these remedies are fed regularly there 
is no danger of any urinary troubles. Quiet should 
be maintained around the horse until he has fully 
recovered. 

However, as per our note on page 119, to give an- 
other remedy, we mention the following : One drachm 
of acetate of lead, mixed in half a pint of water and ad- 
ministered in one dose. If there is no improvement in 
fifteen minutes, repeat the dose, adding an ounce of 
laudanum, until four doses have been given. If there is 
still no relief, give the following in one dose three times 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 125 

a day : Two teaspoonfuls of alum mixed with one pint 
of infusion of white oak bark. As the horse improves, 
discontinue the medicine. 



BUTTON FARCY. 

Button farcy is not a very dangerous disease. It 
appears quickly and confines itself mostly to the neck 
and forequarters. It is known by an eruption like blunt, 
elevated heat spots, which go away in a short time. 

There is nothing better than Pratts Food, Pratts 
Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder for button 
farcy ; in fact, where they are fed constantly, it never 
occurs. They should be fed in double doses and grad- 
ually decreased to the usual quantity. The first treat- 
ment is to have the bowels move freely, which is pro- 
duced by feeding our remedies in extra doses, after 
which they can be reduced to the regular amount, 
which will keep the bowels in good shape. Feed green 
food, bran mashes and crushed oats. 

As per our note on page 119, however, to give an 
additional remedy, we mention the same solution as 
given for prurigo, on page 167, giving a pint at a dose, 
and administer once a day for about thirty days. 



126 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

CHOKING. 

Choking affects an animal according to the different 
parts in which the obstacle may be lodged. Of course, 
the most simple means, if it can be reached, is to place 
the hand in the mouth and remove it. If this cannot be 
done, it requires an instrument expressly made for that 
purpose. If it is a high choke, the animal throws up its 
head and lowers its hind quarters. If it is a low choke, 
the animal refuses to eat, and when drinking, the water 
will be ejected by way of the nostrils. There is a dis- 
charge from the nose ; saliva runs from the mouth and 
breathing is difficult. 

If it is a low choke, Pratts Food, Pratts Animal 
Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder should be given 
frequently in double doses in gruel form, to physic the 
animal and keep the bowels loose. 

As per our note on page 119, however, we give the 
next best remedy, as follows : Two fluid ounces of 
laudanum ; two fluid ounces of sulphuric ether ; mixed 
in half pint of water, and given in one dose. 

Pratts Remedies give strength and assist a horse to 
combat against pain or distress. In an accident of this 
kind they will prevent his running down rapidly, which, 
in itself, is of much value. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



127 



COIyDS. 

Colds result from neglect and exposure, and will be 
noticed by the dull appearance of the horse, rough coat; 
the body will be hot in parts and cold in others; running 
of the eyes and a discharge from the nose. 

The horse should be kept 
warm and a steam bag placed to 
his nose, made as follows : Take 
a two-bushel bag and attach straps 
to it. Put in a peck of bran and 
a handful of hops and pour in a 
mixture of solution of carbolic 
acid and spirits of turpentine, two 
tablespoonfuls each, and mix it 
thoroughly. Put the nose of the 
horse in the bag and strap over 
the head. Cut a hole in the bag 
below the horse's nose and pour 
in five or six quarts of boiling water, and keep on re- 
peating this so as to steam the horse. This may be 
repeated from three to six times a day until the horse 
discharges freely from the nostrils, and then reduce as 
the horse gets better. Do not bleed the horse in this 
condition, and do not weaken him, as it may result in 
pneumonia. 




NOSE bag. 



128 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

There is nothing better, either as a preventive or a 
cure for colds, than Pratts Heave, Cough and Cold Cure. 
It will astonish you with the quick results. This, in ad- 
dition to the above, is all we can say for remedies for colds. 



ACUTE COLIC. 

Colic is too well known to go into a long descrip- 
tion of the disease. 

We can simply say that with the proper care and 
the use of Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or 
Pratts Condition Powder, colic never occurs, unless the 
horse is filled up with a large amount of cold water, bad 
grain or sour food. These remedies fed in double doses 
at first in gruel form, mixed in warm water, start up 
digestion, after which this can be reduced to the usual 
quantity and mixed with the regular feed. Indigestion 
from bolting feed and other causes is frequently the 
cause for colic. Pratts Remedies fed constantly will 
prevent colic from indigestion. If your horse should be 
taken with the colic, however, there is a remedy which 
never fails — Pratts Veterinary Colic Cure; one dose 
cures. Full directions are plainly printed on the bottle. 
This will promptly relieve and cure the animal. 

To treat by injection, use four fluid ounces of tur- 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 129 

pentine in one quart of strong soapsuds, and inject with 
a syringe through the anus. 

WIND COLIC. 
Wind colic is caused by grain feed, and is more 
serious than acute colic. This disease is another form 
of indigestion, which can be prevented by the use of 
Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condi- 
tion Powder. If, however, the horse is attacked by it, 
we can recommend Pratts Veterinary Colic Cure in this 
case, the same as we did in acute colic. You will find 
only one dose necessary ; however, if it should be re- 
quired, it can be repeated in a half-hour. 



CHRONIC COUGH. 

Chronic cough is sometimes caused by dusty hay 
or cold water. Sometimes it is a symptom of farcy, 
glanders, broken wind or heaves, bronchitis or some 
chronic disease of the lungs, stomach or bowels. Special 
attention should be paid to warm blankets, pure air and 
damp food, plenty of grooming, nourishing foods. If 
there is a swelling of the throat, it should be blistered 
with Pratts Veterinary Liniment. Pratts Heave, Cough 
and Cold Cure is a most valuable remedy in all cases of 
this kind, and is the surest and quickest preparation 
that can fce used, As per our riote on page 119, to give 



130 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

another remedy, we mention the following : Ten fluid 
ounces of tincture of squills ; two fluid ounces of fluid 
extract of lobelia ; thirty drops of fluid extract of gel- 
semium. Mix well, and give a tablespoonful every day. 
Increase or decrease as necessary. 



CRIBBING. 
Cribbing is frequently caused by indigestion. After 
the habit becomes fixed, it is hard to break it off. There 
is nothing that will prevent or cure cribbing, if from 
indigestion and not from habit, so thoroughly as Pratts 
Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition 
Powder, as they place the digestive organs of the animal 
in good condition and remove the cause. If the horse is 
a confirmed cribber (from habit), a good plan is to buckle 
a strap closely around the neck. 



DISTEMPER (OR STRANGLES). 
Distemper, or Strangles, as it is sometimes called, is 
frequently due to sudden changes in the weather, and in 
the spring and fall of the year, when the animals are 
shedding their coats, the blood becomes poisoned during 
the damp, chilly weather. Damp, poorly-ventilated and 
foul-smelling stables are frequently the cause. The dis- 
ease is usually contagious, and very few horses escape it. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 131 

The first symptom is the development of the germs 
in the poisoned blood ; these germs increase in immense 
quantities all over the animal's body, the horse shivers, 
his ears and legs become cold, his coat rough, appetite 
poor ; sore throat, with trouble in swallowing, naturally 
follows ; there is usually a swelling between the jaws ; 
the eyes become dull and the lids swell, the nostrils are 
dry and dark red, followed soon by a thin, watery dis- 
charge, and still later on by a thick, acrid matter ; the 
temperature will probably run up from 101 to 103, and 
if proper treatment is not given within a day or two, the 
temperature may run up as high as 104 or 105, in which 
case a heavy cough will develop, and the horse will act 
as if in great pain, the eyes will become filmy and nearly 
closed. 

As soon as any of the above symptoms are noticed, 
the horse should at once be well blanketed, removed from 
all draughts, and given plenty of pure air, cold water 
frequently given in small quantities, and his strength 
kept up by feeding him anything that he will eat. 

When the swelling between the jaws comes to a 
head, a cut should be made to allow the pus to run out. 
If swelling does not come to a head, apply Pratts Vet- 
erinary Liniment with a brush night and morning. 



132 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

Bandage the throat with flannel after each application* 
In case horse breathes with difficulty, use nose bag as 
described on page 127. 

The horse should be treated with Pratts Distemper 
cure, as follows : — 

For an ordinary case of distemper, give one tea- 
spoonful of Pratts Distemper Cure three times a day after 
each feeding time. 

For severe cases of distemper give two teaspoonfuls 
of Pratts Distemper Cure three times a day after each 
feeding time. 

For Colts: — Give one teaspoonful of Pratts Distem- 
per Cure twice a day after each feeding time. 

In case of fever give Pratts Prepared Fever Powder, 
which will quickly reduce the temperature to normal. 

In addition to the above directions, it is important 
to get up a thorough circulation by rubbing the legs 
well with the dry hand, and then wrap with thick flan- 
nel bandages. 



DROPSY. 



Dropsy can be noticed by the pulse being hard and 
small, with about 58 to 62 beats a minute. The head 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



133 




DROPSY OF ABDOMEN. 



droops, the horse will 
not eat, the mouth is 
dry. By pressing on 
the abdomen the horse 
will groan. The horse 
will lie down and re- 
main in one position 
for a long while. The 
horse will be very thirsty, and by slapping one side of 
the horse and placing the ear to the other, the water can 
be detected. The horse will be hide-bound and the hair 
in his tail will drop out. When the disease reaches this 
stage the horse dies. Where Pratts Food, Pratts Ani- 
mal Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder is fed regu- 
larly dropsy does not occur, and we can also recommend 
these remedies as the greatest cures known. They 
should be given in double doses in gruel form at first, 
and gradually reduced until the bowels become natural, 
mixing with the regular feed. We also recommend 
applying small blisters to the abdomen. The animal 
must not be worked while affected by dropsy. In ac- 
cordance with our note on page 119, to give another 
remedy, we mention : One scruple of extract of bella- 
donna ; one-quarter grain of strychnine ; half a drachm 
of iodide of iron ; and add enough powdered quassia 



134 TRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

and extract of gentian to make a mass, and give this 
pill night and morning. Increase the strychnine every 
other day until one grain to a dose is reached, and the 
iodide of iron the same way until a drachm and a half 
is given at one dose. 



ACUTE DYSENTERY. 

This disease is often caused by administering medi- 
cines of a poisonous character to the horse, as purgatives, 
such as aloes, croton oil, etc., and will at first appear to 
be colic, but the violent dysentery following shows the 
true state of affairs. The water becomes discolored and 
has an offensive odor. The horse is extremely thirsty 
and his position shows that he has pain. 

Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Con- 
dition Powder, given in gruel form in double doses at 
first, and then gradually reduced to the regular quantity 
and mixed with the feed, is a sure cure for dysentery. 
An injection of one quart of starch water, with one 
ounce of laudanum mixed in it, should be made into the 
bowels every half hour. Our remedies will also build 
up the horse after an attack of this kind in half the time 
it would take without their use. 

However, as per our note on page 119, to give 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 135 

another remedy, we mention the following, to be given 
in one dose every quarter of an hour : Half a fluid ounce 
liquor potassa ; one fluid ounce tincture catechu ; one 
fluid ounce of sulphuric ether ; three fluid ounces of 
laudanum ; one ounce of powdered chalk. 



DYSENTERY IN COLTS— SCOURS. 
This disease should not be checked too suddenly. 
Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condi- 
tion Powder will not only cure this by regulating the 
bowels, but it will prevent scours in colts and make 
them strong and healthy in every particular. They 
should be fed in gruel form and double doses at first, and 
then gradually reduced to the usual quantity and mixed 
with the regular feed. However, as per our note on 
page 119, we give another remedy, as follows : Place a 
handful of inner white oak bark in a quart of boiling 
water, allow it to stand until cool, add an ounce of 
laudanum, and give a teacupful night and morning. 
This remedy can be made stronger should the case 
require it. 

EPILEPSY. 
Epilepsy is a disease of the brain and nervous sys- 
tem. The horse, when violently attacked, will run into 



136 PRATTS TOINTERS ON THE HORSE 

houses, fences and other obstacles. Sometimes the 
horse will fall and lie on the ground until the fit is over. 
Should a horse at any time act strangely, his actions 
should be looked into, as it may be a symptom of epilepsy. 
Regularity and care in feeding and driving are neces- 
sary. There is nothing more successful for the preven- 
tion of epilepsy than the constant feeding of Pratts 
Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition 
Powder. They have helped thousands of cases. Of 
course, it is necessary to use care in a case of this kind 
as to the food of the horse and how he is worked. In 
case of a sudden attack, a double dose of either of our 
remedies should be given at once, and after a movement 
of the bowels, reduced to the regular dose, or a quantity 
sufficient to keep the bowels regular. As per our note 
on page 119, to give another remedy, we name the fol- 
lowing : One-half fluid ounce of tincture of ginger ; one 
drachm of bromide of potassium ; one drachm of bro- 
mide of ammonium ; mixed in half a pint of water and 
given in one dose twice a day, until the horse improves, 
and then reduce to once each day until cured. 



EXCESS IN URINATING. 
This disease is known as diabetes, and occasionally 
results seriously. Sometimes it happens from giving a 






PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 137 

horse turpentine, which can readily be detected by dip- 
ping a piece of blotting paper in the urine, and placing 
it near the nose to see whether it has the odor of violets. 
If it has, turpentine has been administered to the horse. 
If sweet spirits of nitre has been given the horse, by 
dipping the blotting paper in the urine, and touching it 
with fire, it will burn very fiercely. 

The horse is very thirsty and weak. He should be 
given flaxseed tea in large quantity, a pail full should be 
kept within the animal's reach at all times, and bran 
mashes, scalded or crushed oats, only should be fed, 
mixed with Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or 
Pratts Condition Powder. The horse should be well 
groomed and cleaned. The quick action of Pratts 
Remedies in a case like this is very pronounced, and 
will in most cases give prompt relief. They should at 
first be given in double doses, and in gruel form, re- 
duced as the trouble is remedied. However, as per our 
note on page 119, to give another remedy, we mention 
the following : One drachm of iodide of iron, with suffi- 
cient flaxseed meal and honey added to mix it well, and 
give each day in one dose. 



138 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

FAULTY CASTRATION. 

This sometimes occurs from the cut being too small, 
or the cord left too long, which hangs out and becomes 
red. It can be noticed by a! straddling walk and fever- 
ishness, as well as the hanging out of the cord. It is 
easily remedied : make the cut larger and push the 
cord back. 



FEVER. 

As is well known, many diseases of horses are ac- 
companied with more or less alarming symptoms of fever. 
In all such cases, in addition to treating the specific dis- 
ease, it is absolutely necessary, in order to avoid more 
serious complications, that the temperature of the ani- 
mal be reduced to normal. 

For this purpose, the wise horse-owner should at all 
times keep on hand, ready for every emergency, a sup- 
ply of some safe and reliable fever powder. 

One of the most experienced veterinary surgeons in 
the United States has furnished us with his private 
formula for a fever powder, which has been used suc- 
cessfully in thousands of cases, and which we now are 
offering to the public under the name of Pratts Prepared 
Fever Powder. We recommend its use in all cases of 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 130 

fever for horses, brood mares, stallions and colts at all 
ages. 

Fever can be detected by placing the hands over 
the nostrils, in the mouth or the rectum, or in the cleft 
between the hind legs. In fact, the horse will feel un- 
naturally hot anywhere on the body, but the points 
mentioned above are the most notable. Sometimes the 
ears and cannon bones are as hot as the rest of the body. 
Then, again, they are cold, in which case it is due to 
irregular circulation. The normal pulse of the horse is 
38 to 45 times per minute, and can be felt by placing 
the fingers under the jaw. 

In case of fever the pulse will be increased 60 to 90 
or even 100. The breathing is increased from 14 to 36 
or even more, and can be detected by placing the ear 
back of the foreleg. 

At first the appetite is usually affected. Sometimes 
a horse may not eat at all. There is a general differ- 
ence, however, among horses in this respect with the 
same amount of fever. High-bred horses may not eat 
at all, while lower-bred horses may eat hay all during 
the fever. 

The horse will be thirsty, but drink very little at a 
time. A bucket of water should be kept where the horse 
can drink whenever he desires. The skin w r ill be dry 



140 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

and the hair stand on ends. At first a horse will not 
sweat, but later on he will sweat freely. If the horse 
breaks out in a warm sweat, it is a favorable symptom. 

The mucous membranes, which can be examined 
in the eyes and mouth, will show a rosy or deep red 
color at first. If the fever is caused by an extended 
attack of pneumonia, influenza, etc., the membranes will 
take on a tinge of yellow. 

At first, in a fever, the gland secretions are checked 
and the tongue and inside of the cheeks covered with a 
bad-smelling coating ; a horse generally becomes con- 
stipated and his digestion poor, which frequently, later 
on, produces diarrhoea. Sometimes urine stops alto- 
gether, then, again, the horse passes very little urine of 
a dark color, as the fever wears off. At a later period a 
horse may urinate very freely, which shows the fever is 
decreasing and the horse getting better. 

At the very first sign of fever a horse should be sep- 
arated as far from the other horses as possible, so he 
may be kept quiet and rest. He should be put in a box 
stall, with the stall darkened and free from all draughts. 
The horse should be fed lightly as follows : Carrots, 
apples, vegetables, grain, bran mashes — in fact, any- 
thing that will encourage the appetite, but the animal 
must uotbe fed too strong, and under no circumstances 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 141 

should the horse be worked until fully recovered. Give 
Pratts Prepared Fever Powder as directed below, and 
as soon as fever stops, discontinue the powders, and do 
not work the horse until he gets his natural strength 
and is fully recovered. 

Give one of Pratts Fever Powders twice a day for 
three days, and follow up this treatment with daily 
doses of Pratts Food for Horses and Cattle. This will 
supply the necessary tonic to the sick horse, which is 
necessary to build up his run-down condition. 

For two-year-old colts, give one-half the quantity of 
powder. 

For one-year-old colts, give one-fourth the quantity. 

To give Pratts Fever Powders, open the horse's 
mouth, take the tongue in the left hand, and empty the 
Powder on the back part of the tongue. 



FISTULOUS WITHERS. 
This disease looks like poll evil, only it is found on 
the withers. When it appears it is about as large as an 
egg. To remedy, take a sharp-pointed knife, cut through 
the middle, upward and outward ; then apply caustic, 
and keep it wet with a solution of one drachm of car- 
bolic acid, mixed in a pint of water, and keep it covered 



142 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

with a tarred rag to keep the flies from troubling the 
horse. Where the disease has been neglected, an opera- 
tion should be performed similar to that mentioned under 
poll evil, and should only be done by a person skilful 
in cases of this kind. 

The constant Feeding of Pratts Food, Pratts Ani- 
mal Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder will greatly 
benefit the horse and assist in a speedy recovery, keep- 
ing the blood, bowels and digestive organs in normal 
condition. 

GLANDERS. 

All that a horse-owner wishes to know about glanders 
is enough to detect that the horse positively has the dis- 
ease, and then have the animal killed. 

The symptoms are as follows : Shivering and stiff- 
ness, which sometimes continue for days. A free dis- 
charge of thin greenish matter under the jaw. The 
glands under the jaw are enlarged and immovable ; they 
becomed inflamed and burst and emit a bloody substance. 
Wherever this discharge touches the animal, it takes off 
the hair. The nostrils are swollen ; there is a discharge 
from them, and notice should be taken while the horse 
is drinking, if this discharge drops into the water and 
sinks, it is glanders, and if it floats, it is not. This is 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 143 

considered a sure test by many authorities. When the 
discharge begins, it has a gluey, starch-like appearance 
and is very tough. 

Great care should be taken in coming in contact 
with the horse, as the disease has .been contracted by 
persons working around an affected animal. 



GRUBS IN THE SKIN. 
They can be removed by opening the skin with a 
knife and squeezing them out. 



HIDE-BOUND. 

Hide-bound is caused by neglect, poor food, indi- 
gestion and exposure. Where Pratts Food, Pratts Ani- 
mal Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder is fed, hide- 
bound never occurs. As a preventive, they should be 
given in the usual doses with the regular feed. If the 
horse has become hide-bound, they should be given in 
double doses in gruel form until the bowels are moved 
freely, and then reduce gradually until the bowels are 
regular. As per our note on page 119, however, to give 
another remedy, we mention the following : One fluid 
ounce tincture muriate of iron ; half a fluid ounce Fowl- 
er's solution of arsenic ; mixed in a pint of water, and 
given in one dose twice a day. 



144 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

HEAVES. 

Heaves will be noticed by wheezing and is also gen- 
erally accompanied by a cough. It is very often caused 
by overfeeding on clover, chaffy dry bran, oats, or food 
which contains very little nutriment, but is bulky. 
Dusty hay is also very likely to cause this disease, as 
well as violent exercise. Both young and old horses are 
subject to it, but it more frequently affects the older 
animals. It is frequently accompanied with a ravenous 
appetite. It weakens the animal and he is easily fatigued. 
A horse affected with heaves should in all cases have a 
well-ventilated stable. 

Turn the horse out into pasture where there is no 
clover. The horse should be fed on cornstalks or laxa- 
tive food and dry grain, clean oats, but very little hay, 
and this should be dampened and only given at night. 
Turnips and carrots are good feed. Water should be 
given in small quantities, but frequently. A little lime 
added to the water occasionally is good for the horse. 

We strongly urge the use of Pratts Heave Cure to 
prevent and cure this troublesome disease. A single 
day's treatment helps the worst case of heaves, several 
doses will show a vast improvement, and in a few days 
the cough will stop and the breathing be natural. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



145 



In accordance with our note on page 119, we, how- 
ever, mention another remedy, as follows : Two ounces 
of pulverized belladonna leaves once a week, and the 
following dose given night and morning : One drachm 
of Jamaica ginger ; four grains arsenic ; one drachm of 
bicarbonate of soda* 



INFLAMMATION OF THE AIR PASSAGES (BRONCHITIS). 
This disease is the result of a cold caught while the 
horse is overheated. In the start there will at times be 




BLANKETING FOR BRONCHITIS. 

noted only a slight cough, and the horse will eat as 
usual ; but soon the cough increases, the animal declines 
to move around, breathing becomes short, quick and 
loud; the nose is red and the mouth hot and dry. The 



146 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

body and legs are of uneven temperature. The nose bag, 
described on page 127, should be applied. The stable 
must be warm ; scalded hay should be bandaged to the 
throat, and repeated as soon as cool ; the body bandaged 
with flannels dipped in cold water, from the shoulder to 
the middle of the back, clear around the body of the 
horse, and renew just as soon as the heat of the body 
dries the blankets or flannels. Keep the horse on gruel 
or soft foods. After the horse has recovered, the dry 
blankets should be worn at least ten days in the same 
manner. 

Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts 
Condition Powder have cured a number of cases of in- 
flammation of the air passages, with the care mentioned 
above, and are great preventives from all acute attacks 
by the fine condition a horse is kept in by their constant 
use. As per our note on page 119, to give another 
remedy, we mention the following to be given every 
half hour in one dose : One fluid ounce of laudanum ; 
one fluid ounce of sulphuric ether ; mixed in half a 
pint of water. If, in the course of a couple of hours, the 
horse is no better, give the following, dose : Half a 
drachm of belladonna, taken up in an ounce of water, 
and twenty drops of tincture of aconite added. Give 
every three-quarters of an hour to an hour until the horse 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 147 

is better. If the bowels are costive, inject warm soap 
suds. The food should be entirely in gruel form. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE BYES. 
Generally caused by a blow or foreign substance 
getting under the lid. The best plan is to hang a cloth 
over the eye and keep it wet constantly with the follow- 
ing solution : One fluid ounce of tincture of arnica ; half 
a fluid ounce of laudanum ; mixed in two quarts of water. 
As soon as possible, examine the eye and remove any 
dirt or other substance that may be lodged there. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH. 

This disease is shown sometimes by colic, irregu- 
larity of the bowels, or uncertain appetite and looseness 
of the bowels at times. This may be followed by ex- 
treme costiveness. The disease is accompanied by a dry 
cough, catchy breath, and the mouth is cold. The eyes 
are sunken, the belly baggy and the hair rough. The 
horse becomes thin and is very easily thrown into a per- 
spiration or sweat. The horse will gnaw at bricks and 
mortar, or wood, and will eat its bedding or dirty straw. 

The most successful remedies that we know of for 
this disease are Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or 



148 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

Pratts Condition Powder, if constantly fed. However, 
it will not occur unless from acute causes like sudden 
colds from exposure, etc. As soon as the symptoms be- 
come apparent, either of our remedies should be given 
in double doses in gruel form, to carry off the inflam- 
mation through the bowels, after which an easily digested 
diet of soft food should be given, reducing to the regular 
doses during recovery. As per our note on page 119, to 
give another remedy, we name the following : Half a 
drachm of extract of belladonna ; half a grain of strych- 
nine ; half a drachm of extract of gentian ; half a drachm 
of carbonate of ammonia ; mixed with powdered quassia 
so as to make a ball, and given night and morning for 
seven days. Then give the following solution night and 
morning : One fluid ounce of muriated tincture of iron ; 
half a fluid ounce of tincture of ipecacuanha ; one fluid 
ounce of laudanum ; half a fluid ounce of solution of 
arsenic ; mixed in a pint of water and given in one 
dose. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS. 
This disease will be noted by a weakened pulse, 
pulse rapid, short breathing, the mucous membranes are 
pale, and the horse frequently turns his head back to- 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 140 

wards the kidneys. His head is lowered, the back arched 
and the hind feet placed wide apart. If the hand is 
pressed over the kidneys, the horse flinches. The horse 
will not move around and seldom lies down. The urine 
is scanty, and sometimes will have pus and matter in it, 

and has a strong odor. 
Then again at times it 
will be deeply tinged with 
blood. Sometimes the 
horse perspires freely and 
the urine can be noticed 
!.•*■*► 9 m * n the perspiration. This 
inflammation of kidneys. is the last stage of the 
disease and death generally follows very quickly. Many 
persons test for this disease by inserting the hand into 
the rectum and under the kidneys, and noting whether 
they are very hot, which is a sure sign. As the action 
is accompanied by a great deal of pain, care must be 
taken that the horse does not become frenzied and in- 
jure both himself and the person making the test. 

There are no better remedies or preventives known for 
kidney troubles than Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regu- 
lator or Pratts Condition Powder. As a preventive, they 
should be given regularly three times a day, mixed with 
the regular feed. As a curative, they should be fed at 




150 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

first in large doses in gruel form, and gradually decreased 
until the bowels become regular. In addition, apply a 
warm mustard poultice to the loins ; cover with oil 
cloth and a blanket to retain the heat and moisture ; and 
inject into the rectum every hour one quart of warm 
linseed tea into which two tablespoonfuls of laud- 
anum have been mixed, or starch water may be used in 
place of the linseed tea. This treatment alone, with the 
proper care and feeding of soft and nourishing food, will, 
if the case is not too far advanced, result in a speedy 
recovery. 

However, as per our note on page 119, to give other 
remedies, we would mention the following ; Give one 
dose of twenty drops of croton oil, mixed with half a 
drachm of extract of belladonna. Sprinkle the follow- 
ing dose on the tongue every hour during the acute 
stage of the disease : One drachm of opium, mixed with 
one scruple of calomel. As the animal recovers, give 
three times a day the following dose : Half a drachm of 
extract of belladonna ; two drachms of opium. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE TESTICLES. 
This disease often occurs from too much service or 
driving too far. Sometimes it affects the glands. The 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 151 

horse will travel wide behind, and will work his testicles 
up and down. They will be very sensitive and large. 
The horse should have rest both as to service and driving. 
They should be bathed freely with witch hazel or arnica 
or any other soothing lotion. Two ounces of laudanum 
with a little acetate of lead, in a quart of water, will also 
be very beneficial. If there is any pus forming, it must 
be allowed to run out by making an opening with a 
knife. In bad cases it is necessary to castrate the ani- 
mal to save its life. Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regu- 
lator or Pratts Condition Powder purify the blood and 
place a stallion in first-class condition. They make him 
strong, and enable him to stand more service than 
otherwise. In cases of inflammation, if given in the usual 
quantity at each feeding time, an improvement will be 
noticed immediately. However, as per our note on 
page 119, to give another remedy, we mention another 
recipe, as follows : Ten drops of aconite at a dose, 
given in half a pint of water three times daily ; which 
will allay all feverishness. 



INFLUENZA (EPIZOOTIC). 
Influenza usually attacks a horse very suddenly. 
The head, ears and lips droop, the eye is partly closed, 



162 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

and the back arched. There is a dry cough and rapid 
breathing, pulse quick, urine scanty, dung hard and 
covered with mucus. The membrane of the nose and 
eyes is red, and that is the reason it is termed by some 
as "pink eye." There is a noise in the windpipe, 
which can be detected by putting the ear against the 
horse. The disease varies in its symptoms until the 
horse either recovers or it proves fatal. Sometimes 
the urine becomes brown or dark red. We have 
cured thousands of cases of influenza with Pratts Dis- 
temper and Pink Eye Cure, and have kept all the horses 
in a stable unattacked well by using it as a preventive, 
and, therefore, we consider this all that is necessary to 
cure the disease. The horse must be kept warm with 
blankets and the stall should be warm. 

The nose bag (as shown on page 127) is a most 
excellent thing in a case of this kind to bring the 
discharge freely, and should be used as soon as the 
disease is noticed. If the throat is sore, the back of the 
teeth can be smeared with the following preparation : 
Two drachms of chlorate of potash ; one drachm of 
belladonna ; one tablespoonful of vinegar ; one teacupful 
of honey. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 163 

INJURIES TO THE JAW. 
The sore must be cut until the bone is reached, and 
if there is an offensive discharge, it should be washed 
three or four times daily with the following : One 
scruple of chloride of zinc ; half a fluid ounce of lauda- 
num ; mixed in a pint of water. The opening must be 
sufficiently large to permit the discharge to flow freely. 
It is an advantage to feed Pratts Food, Pratts Animal 
Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder, as they purify 
the blood and help sores of all kinds to heal quickly. 



INJURIES TO THE MOUTH. 
Generally caused by jerking the lines. The best 
remedy is the following : Half an ounce of laudanum ; 
two scruples of chloride of zinc ; mixed in two pints of 
water. Bathe frequently, using a soft sponge, especially 
after each feeding or watering. Soft food only should 
be given. 

PAMPAS. 

Lampas is an inflammation of the bars in the roof 
of the mouth, and is caused by changing young horses 
from pasture to dry, hard food. Pratts Food, Pratts 
Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder are 



154 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

excellent remedies in this case, fed in the usual doses ; 
along with the feeding of soft food, such as bran mashes, 
scalded oats, boiled roots, etc., for several days, will 
completely remedy the trouble. 



IvKUCORRHCEA. 

This is a catarrh of the womb, and may follow the 
foaling. It will be known by a white discharge, which 
will have a bad smell, especially if it is caused by the 
retained afterbirth. All fluid must be drawn from the 
womb, which can be done by injecting warm water ; and 
then a solution of one drachm of sulphate of zinc in a 
quart of water should be injected daily to purify it. 
Feed Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts 
Condition Powder at this time to keep the bowels, blood, 
kidneys, etc., in condition ; they will do much toward 
helping the horse to recover quickly. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE WOMB. 

Can be noticed by colicky pains, twisting of the 
tail, and shivering fits. There is also a disagreeable 
discharge from the womb. If the hand is inserted into 
the womb, it will be found full of fluid and very much 
inflamed. This fluid must be drawn off with a catheter, 
and then warm water injected twice a day. Immediately 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 155 

after, inject the following solution : Two fluid ounces of 
laudanum ; one drachm of sulphate of zinc ; mixed in two 
quarts of water. And feed Pratts Food, Pratts Animal 
Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder in regular doses ; 
they allay inflammation and purify the whole system. 

There is nothing that makes foaling so healthy and 
cleans out the afterbirth so thoroughly as these three 
remedies. A mare fed daily on them during the time of 
growing the foal will show the most satisfactory results, 
not only in the condition of the mare, but in the condi- 
tion and health of the colt. 



LICE. 
Lice result from various causes ; most generally they 
are caused by the stable being situated near a chicken 
house. Dust the animal thoroughly with Pratts Pow- 
dered Lice Killer, rubbing the hair the wrong way, and 
work the powder into the skin. Pratts Lice Killer will 
also be found of great value as a deodorizer and disin- 
fectant, to purify the atmosphere of stables and barns. 



LOCK-JAW. 
Lock-jaw is a spasm of the muscular system. It 
is generally caused by a wound or nervous irritation re- 
sulting from overexertion, exposure or careless feeding. 




166 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

If a wound, it generally 
occurs from the eighth 
to the fifteenth day. By 
raising the head, as 
shown in the illustra- 
tion, the membrane 
across the lower corner 
of the eye will nearly 
testing for i,ock-jaw. cover the eyeball. The 

horse is stiff and can hardly walk. He becomes nervous 
and excitable. The wound may become dry, or dis- 
charge a discolored substance. The animal will stand 
for days in the same spot, and cannot eat because its 
jaws are fixed. The body appears hard and the muscles 
are rigid. 

Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts 
Condition Powder are excellent for the treatment of lock- 
jaw, if given in double doses, at first in gruel form and 
then reduced to the usual quantity. They help to ease 
the horse by opening the bowels, and restore the strength. 
The shoes should be removed and the horse placed on a 
dirt floor. In case the jaws are fixed, the horse can be 
fed by means of a rubber tube placed through the nos- 
trils, and a stomach pump to pump the food into him. 
A skilled veterinarian only should do this. Do not 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 157 

blister the animal. Any hard or extreme measures will 
make him worse ; and he should be kept perfectly quiet, 
with no disturbing noise around. 

However, as per our note on page 119, to mention 
another remedy, we give the following : Four drachms 
of extract of gentian ; four drachms of aloes ; twenty 
drops of croton oil ; mixed and given in one dose. If 
this does not move the bowels in four or five hours, 
repeat the dose. 



MALIyENDERS AND SALIvENDERS. 

These are scurvy patches which appear at the back 
of the knee and in front of the hock. If not attended to, 
they may become very troublesome. They should be 
kept clean and Pratts Veterinary Healing Ointment ap- 
plied two or three times daily. 

The feeding of Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regula- 
tor or Pratts Condition Powder is very important for 
all skin diseases, as they cleanse and purify the blood 
and keep the digestion in shape, the bowels regular and 
assist in a speedy recovery. 



MANGE, OR COMMON STABLE ITCH. 
Mange is generally found among horses that are 
poorly fed and neglected in grooming and cleaning. It 



158 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

is very contagious and usually spreads through an entire 
stable. It is a very small insect, and by scratching off 
some of the dandruff from the skin and placing it on 
white paint or paper in a bright light, small, shining 
objects will be seen moving about in all directions. It 
is first noticed in the roots of the mane, and afterward 
spreads over the whole body except the legs. The horse 
rubs himself against the stall and the hair will drop out, 
leaving dry spots of skin exposed, which become scabby. 
A person attending a mangy horse should change his 
clothing and wash carefully before going near a horse 
that is not affected. 

It is a good plan to have the horse stand in the sun 
several hours a day, and then have him groomed thor- 
oughly, to remove all the loose scurf possible. Then 
apply the following to the entire body : Six fluid ounces 
of glycerine ; two drachms of carbolic acid crystals ; 
mixed in one quart of water. The next day the horse 
should be thoroughly washed with strong soap, and sev- 
eral hours later apply again the above solution. A few 
days later, wash it off and repeat the application. 

Pratts Veterinary Healing Ointment will cure the 
raw spots quickly and should be applied in addition to 
the solution after the horse is washed. 

A horse fed Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 159 

or Pratts Condition Powder is kept in robust condition, 
and consequently is not subject to mange ; even if he 
comes in contact with mangy horses, he is less liable to 
be affected on account of his system being in first-class 
condition. 



OVERDRIVING. 

The horse that drops in his tracks from overdriving 
should be treated as follows : Bleed at once, a full pint ; 
cover the body and take the horse to the nearest stable 
as soon as possible. Keep plenty of blankets on the 
horse, bandage the legs, cover the neck and keep him 
as warm as possible, even to such an extent as having 
fire in the stable, or tubs of hot water. 

We feel that the mild, stimulative effect of Pratts 
Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition 
Powder will bring about the recovery of the animal, and 
if fed constantly, insure better staying powers, and pre- 
vent exhaustion, when in many cases it would occur 
without their use. However, should it occur, the usual 
dose of these remedies should be immediately given 
along with easily-digested and strength-giving food ; 
but do not overload the stomach. Pratts Remedies 
should be given in such quantities that will create an 



160 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

easy, natural movement of the bowels. Do not physic 
the horse, as it weakens him when in this condition. 
Watch him carefully for thirty-six hours. 



PARTIAL PARALYSIS. 

This generally affects either one or "both hind legs, 
more frequently in trotting horses, and results from long 
heats and fast driving. A horse once affected is on the 
downward road. He can be patched up, but never 
cured, as it will show again as soon as he is driven hard. 
The animal should be walked regularly and not excited, 
fed well and given plenty of grooming and rubbing. 
Brush the hind quarters well several times a day with a 
coarse brush. A wet flannel should be placed over the 
small of the back, covered with a piece of oil cloth 
and on top of this a blanket. Keep the flannel wet con- 
stantly. Give soft mashes and green food. Keep the 
bowels open. 

There is nothing better for paralysis than Pratts 
Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition 
Powder, as they keep the bowels open, the blood pure 
and the digestion in good shape. A double dose should 
at once be given ; and after the bowels are freely opened, 
the quantity should be reduced so as to keep the bowels 



PRATT S POINTERS ON THE HORSE 161 

regular and healthy. An improvement will soon be 
noticed. As per our note on page 119, to mention 
another remedy, we name the following : One grain of 
iodide of iron ; half a grain of strychnine ; add sufficient 
quassia powder and molasses to make a ball, and give it 
night and morning. At the end of a few weeks increase 
the strychnine to one grain, and three or four weeks 
after make it a grain and a half. 



SPINAL MENINGITIS, OR COMPLETE PARALYSIS. 

This disease often occurs from injuries to the spinal 
cord by hitting the animal over the backbone. He 
loses complete control of the hind legs, and has no feeling. 
Sometimes there is no apparent cause for this disease. 
Some think this disease is contagious ; but this cannot 
b<e substantiated. The horse generally dies in three or 
four days. The cords and muscles along the entire back 
are subject to a nervous twitching, and the pulse is low. 
If the horse is bled, the blood is thick and dark. The 
urine is very strong and offensive and dark in color. 

Wet blankets, wrung out of warm water, should be 
applied for three or four days, and the horse put in a 
sling as soon as possible. A double dose of Pratts Food, 
Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder in 



162 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

gruel form should be given to move the bowels, and a 
plaster of mustard and vinegar applied over the loins 
and kidneys. The legs should be kept warm by rubbing 
and bandaging. 

Pratts Remedies are very helpful in this case, but 
we would not pretend to recommend them as a sure 
cure ; in fact, we don't think a horse amounts to much 
after an attack of this kind. However, they will do 
more for him than anything we know of, and if fed regu- 
larly, will keep him in as good condition as the disease 
will permit. 

However, as per our note on page 119, we mention 
the next best remedy as follows : One scruple of extract 
of nux vomica ; one scruple of extract of belladonna ; 
one scruple of powdered ergot ; given in a mash morn- 
ing and evening, or drench the animal with it. 

PARALYSIS OF THE EYE. 
This is caused by an injury to the eye, or from com- 
plete exhaustion of the nervous vitality of the animal. 
The pupil is frequently enlarged, but not as dark as or- 
dinarily, and with a slight milky cast of greenish tinge. 
A good test for paralysis of the eye is to keep the horse 
in a dark stable for half an hour, then lead him into 
the sunlight. If the pupil does not contract, the horse 
is blind. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 163 

PLEURISY. 

Pleurisy comes from overdriving or exposure, and 
generally attacks young horses. It is known by rigid 
muscles and a dry cough. The fore foot is generally on 
the move, and the breathing is short and quick. By 
pressing on the spaces between the ribs, you are sure to 
detect it ; the animal will shrink and often tries to bite 
and kick, as it pains him severely. 

The horse should be bled (about a pint) and the legs 
bandaged with flannel. 

The use of Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or 
Pratts Condition Powder as a preventive and cure of 
pleurisy is well known by all who have used them, as a 
horse is less susceptible to colds when in a good con- 
dition, which is assured by the constant feeding of these 
remedies. Give double doses in gruel form at the^first 
appearance of the symptoms, and then reduce to the 
quantity necessary to bring the bowels to a natural state. 
At the same time, as mentioned in our note on page 
119, to give another remedy, we mention the following : 
Twenty drops of aconite in four tablespoonfuls of warm 
water, given every fifteen minutes, to reduce the pulse 
and fever. As soon as the pulse is softened, give the fol- 
lowing dose every two hours : One fluid ounce of laud- 
anum ; one fluid ounce of sulphuric ether ; mixed in a 



164 



PRATTS TOINTERS ON THE HORSE 



pint of water. Continue this for about thirty-six hours. 
Should the cough still continue, use the nose bag des- 
cribed on page 127. Pratts Remedies will assist in 
giving the horse strength and hasten his complete 
recovery. 



PNEUMONIA. 

Pneumonia can be noted by the following symptoms: 
Fast and labored breathing, with head and ears in a 

drooping position. The 
legs are cold and set 
wide apart. The coat 
is rough, body cold, 
bowels are dry and 
costive. Place your 
ear to the horse's side 
9m and if a grating or 
sucking sound is heard, 
it is a sure sign of pneumonia. 

The shoes should be pulled off and the horse given 
plenty of room, with the floor covered with sawdust or 
sand, rather than straw. If by test you find that the 
blopd flows freely, it may do the animal some goocl to 




^'1* 



PNEUMONIA. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 165 

allow about a pint to flow ; but if the blood appears black 
and thick, no blood should, be drawn. The steam bag, 
as given on page 127, is an excellent remedy. 

We feel confident that a horse properly cared for 
and fed Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts 
Condition Powder regularly will be in excellent con- 
dition and not liable to an attack of this disease. We 
have known of many cases cured with these remedies 
only. The usual dose should be given at once, the horse 
blanketed and kept warm, and the throat, chest and lungs 
rubbed with Pratts Veterinary Liniment. As the horse 
recovers, he 'will be likely to lie down. A nourishing 
diet should be observed and Pratts Remedies continued. 

At the same time, as per our note on page 119, to 
give another remedy, we mention the following, to be 
given in one dose four times daily : Two fluid ounces of 
sulphuric ether ; twenty drops of tincture of aconite. 
Then rub up one drachm of extract of belladonna in a 
half-pint of water, and mix well. 



POISONING. 
Poison often occurs from the use of improper drugs, 
or inexperienced persons prescribing for the horse. 

The horse has no desire to eat, but is very thirsty. 



166 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

The nostrils are red and discharge a kind of thick saliva. 
There will be belching of wind and a colicky appear- 
ance ; heavy, quick breathing and a rapid pulse ; dys- 
entery, which will be accompanied with large quantities 
of mucus. The horse will be weak and have convul- 
sions. 

The best known remedy is : One pint of tincture of 
cinchona in two quarts of water; repeat at the expiration 
of five minutes. 

The feeding of Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regu- 
lator or Pratts Condition Powder, to regulate the bowels, 
will greatly assist in the speedy recovery of the animal, 
and build him up in solid and lasting condition. 



POIyl, EVll,. 

Poll evil is caused by some injury : the rubbing of the 
bridle, a blow, or by forcing a small collar roughly on 
the horse. It frequently results in an abscess where the 
injury has been excessive. 

By placing the finger on the part, and pressing 
lightly at first, if the horse shrinks immediately as the 
result of the pain, the disease has not reached a very 
severe state ; if it requires a hard and lengthly pressure 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 167 

before the horse shows signs of pain, the disease is more 
advanced and more difficult to cure. 

Blister by applying with a brush tincture of can- 
tharides. Repeat the blister so as to keep the parts ir- 
ritated, as soon as necessary. The services of a skilled 
veterinarian should then be secured to open the part 
and cut away the diseased matter. The wound should 
then be rubbed with caustic and the following solution 
injected three times a day : One drachm of tincture of 
muriate of iron ; one drachm of carbolic acid ; mixed in 
a pint of water. A rag should be dipped in a solution 
of tar and placed over the wound to prevent the flies 
from troubling the animal. 

Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts 
Condition Powder should be fed regularly three times a 
day, to keep the blood, bow r els and digestive organs in 
good shape, and assist in a quick recovery from the effects 
of poll evil. 



PRURIGO. 



Prurigo is different from mange, as the skin does not 
have that patchy character. There is a feverish con- 
dition of the body, and it often affects high-fed horses, 



168 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

which is just the opposite of mange. Generally occurs 
in the spring, and horses affected are generally those 
who have had very little exercise during the winter. 

The following wash should be applied twice a day : 
Four fluid ounces of glycerine ; one drachm of carbolic 
acid ; mixed in one pint of water. 

Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator and Pratts 
Condition Powder are the very best remedies to be fed 
during a condition of this kind, at first in double doses, 
and then gradually decreasing until the usual dose is 
fed and the bowels become regular. As a preventive, 
they keep horses in good condition that are too highly 
fed, by keeping the bowels and blood in first-class shape 
and the digestive organs from becoming disarranged. 

However, as per our note on page 119, to give an- 
other remedy, we mention : One and a half fluid ounces 
of tincture muriate of iron ; one fluid ounce of Fowler's 
solution of arsenic ; mixed in one quart of water, and 
half a pint to be given at one dose, night and morning 
for one week. 

RINGWORM. 
Ringworm can be noted by the falling off of the 
hair in patches, leaving a scurfy skin which scales off, 
and finally leaving a thick, scaly margin or ring around 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 169 

the spot, which in time becomes an ulcer. Pratts Food, 
Pratts Animal Regulator and Pratts Condition Powder 
are the greatest blood purifiers known, and where fed 
constantly with the regular feed, there is no danger 
whatever of ringworm. Where the disease has once 
started, it is well to give Pratts Remedies in double 
doses to move the bowels freely, and then reduce gradu- 
ally to the regular quantity. It is also well to apply, 
twice a day, two drachms of iodide of lead, mixed with 
two ounces of fresh lard. Should there be ulceration, 
wash five or six times a day with a mixture of two 
scruples of chloride of zinc in a pint of water. How- 
ever, as per our note on page 119, to give another remedy, 
we mention the same remedy which we have given for 
prurigo, on page 167, to be given at one dose as soon as 
the disease is discovered. 



ROARING. 
Roaring may be caused by a tumor in distemper. 
If it is chronic, it is caused by a change in the upper 
part of the windpipe, brought on by a tight check rein 
used when the horse is young. This [cannot be cured, 
£ut may be prevented by padding the nose-piece of the 



170 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

bridle and not allowing too much air into the lungs at 
one time. While this is being done, however, the ani- 
mal cannot stand hard or fast driving. To detect a 
roarer, drive right fast for about a mile, then stop and 
put your ear to the windpipe ; if he is only a slight 
roarer, it can be detected at once. A defect of this kind 
is very wearying on a horse, consequently he should 
always be kept in a first-class condition. This can be 
accomplished by a nourishing diet at all times, and the 
constant use of Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator 
or Pratts Condition Powder. 



RUPTURE. 
Rupture frequently happens to colts, in which case 
it will be noticed by a soft enlargement at the navel 
opening when the colt is about a year old. He should 
be thrown on his back, and the contents of the lump 
should be returned through the opening, and then the 
skin should be tightly clamped and allowed to gradually 
slough off. Rupture frequently happens from accidents, 
in which case a portion of the intestines hang down in 
the testicles. In a very young animal, it can be reduced 
by laying him on his back, raising the hind parts, and 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 171 

gently manipulating the testicles until the intestines 
pass back into the abdomen, after which the animal can 
be allowed to get up and rest quietly in a box stall for 
several days. In older animals, however, in addition, 
the hand must be introduced into the rectum and the 
bowels gently pulled back into place. This generally 
has to be accompanied by a surgical operation. The 
feeding of Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or 
Pratts Condition Powder is beneficial in such cases, as 
they keep the animal in a healthy condition otherwise, 
thereby strengthening the weakened parts. 



SCRATCHES. 

This disease comes from carelessness in not cleaning 
the mud and dirt from the horse's legs. This should 
not be neglected, as it becomes a very filthy and un- 
pleasant disease. The parts should be washed thor- 
oughly with white castile soap and warm water, and 
Pratts Veterinary Healing Ointment applied twice a 
day. In accordance with our plan to give another rem- 
edy, we mention the following : Keep the parts con- 
stantly wet by applying a cloth saturated with the fol- 
lowing solution : Half an ounce of chloride of zinc ; 



172 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

half a pint of glycerine ; dissolved in six quarts of water. 
As soon as the cloth is dry, wet it again and apply, and 
continue this until there is no more inflammation or 
heat. Should the disease have advanced sufficiently to 
cause ulcerations and breaks, the following solution 
should be applied in the same way : Four fluid ounces 
of creosote ; one ounce of chloride of zinc ; one gallon 
of strong solution of oak bark. If proud flesh appears, 
it will have to be removed with a knife. From the com- 
mencement there is nothing better to give the horse than 
Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condi- 
tion Powder along with his regular feed, to purify and 
cleanse the blood, and put the horse in condition to 
recover quickly . However, as per our note on page 119, 
to give another remedy, we would mention the same 
remedy as given for prurigo, on page 167, to be admin- 
istered in pint doses night and morning. 



SORE THROAT, 



Sore throat is frequently a forerunner of other more 
serious diseases. It will be noticed by want of appetite, 
difficulty in swallowing water, which will be accompa- 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 173 

nied by a jerky movement and a grunting noise. The 
water the horse drinks will sometimes return through 
the nostrils. The horse should be blanketed, stable 
warm and well ventilated, and soft foods given, the 
throat, chest and lungs rubbed with Pratts Veterinary 
Liniment until it blisters thoroughly. There may be 
occasion to repeat the blistering. 

There is nothing more valuable than Pratts Food, 
Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition Powder. 
A double dose in gruel form should be given immedi- 
ately. Then the regular quantity mixed with each feed, 
gradually reducing until the bowels are easy and natural. 

However, as per our note on page 119, to give an- 
other remedy, we mention the following, to be given in 
one dose : Half a fluid ounce of essence of anise ; one 
drachm of pulverized aloes ; mixed in a pint of water. 
Should there be no improvement, prepare the following : 
One ounce of chlorate of potassa, mixed in two quarts of 
water, and pour about half a pint into the horse's mouth, 
holding up his head for half a minute, and then permit 
the head to drop and the fluid to run out. Repeat half 
a dozen times a day. 



174 TRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

SPASM OF THE URKTHA. 

In this disease the muscles controlling the passage 
of the urine from the bladder contract. It is generally 
due to bad usage or exposure. 

It is noticed by a straddling gait, the horse seldom 
urinating, or the urine being very scanty. The animal 
suffers intensely. By pushing the hand and arm up the 
rectum, and pressing downward, you can feel whether 
the bladder is full and determine the disease thereby. 

Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts 
Condition Powder operates freely upon the kidneys, 
liver and urinary organs, and, given in large doses, has 
been known to permanently relieve this disease. Also, 
as a preventive, they obviate many of the bad effects on 
a horse of rough and ignorant treatment. When this 
state has occurred, however, double doses should be 
given in gruel form, and then reduce, as the animal 
improves, to the regular quantity and mix with the feed. 
An injection into the rectum of four fluid ounces each 
of sulphuric ether and laudanum mixed in three pints of 
water, will also prove helpful, preventing it from run- 
ning out by holding the hand over the anus for about 
ten minutes. If there is no relief, repeat in twenty 
minutes. If the urine does not flow at the expiration of 
another twenty minutes, repeat again until there is relief. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 175 

However, as per our note on page 119, to give an- 
other remedy, we mention the following, to be given in 
one dose : Four fluid ounces of laudanum ; four fluid 
ounces of sulphuric ether ; mixed in a quart of water. 

Very frequently the horse can be relieved promptly 
by opening both jugular veins and allowing the blood to 
flow until the urine comes, or the animal falls into a 
faint, at which time the urine will flow of its own free 
will. If not, insert the hand into the rectum and press 
upon the bladder, and this will produce the desired 
result. 



- STAGGERS. 

Staggers is generally caused by overfeeding. In 
some portions of the South it frequently occurs from 
local influences. A horse breaking loose at night and 
gorging himself at the grain bins is liable to this disease. 

The symptoms are as follows : The horse hangs his 
head and presses it against the wall with eyes closed ; 
his pulse throbs ; the breath is hard, and sometimes he 
snores. The skin is cold ; the ears and tail are quiet ; 
the nasal membrane is a leaden color. As the case be- 
comes worse, the eye brightens ; the nasal membrane 
reddens ; the skin becomes hot ; the movements are 



176 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

quick and jerky ; breathing short and sharp, and the 
horse practically mad. 

Where Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or 
Pratts Condition Powder is fed constantly, a regular, 
healthy condition is produced, with perfect digestion. 
Consequently, a horse given these remedies, and prop- 
erly looked after, is not subject to an attack of staggers. 
If Pratts Remedies do not move the bowels, administer 
one quart of castor oil. 

However, in accordance with our note on page 119, 
we mention another remedy : A quart of any kind of oil 
should be given at once, excepting kerosene. If no oil 
is at hand, fresh melted grease will answer ; but no salted 
grease. If the disease has advanced considerably before 
discovery, a quart of castor oil containing ten drops of 
croton oil should be given at once. Repeat if this does 
not move the bowels inside of five or six hours, giving 
twenty drops of croton oil instead of ten. If still no 
effect, repeat in five or six hours with thirty drops of 
croton oil instead of twenty. 

As the animal recovers, Pratts Remedies as a tonic 
should be given, and the bowels watched carefully, as 
it takes some time for the animal to recover its full 
health. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 177 

SUNSTROKE. 

Sunstroke generally occurs in cities, where the heat 
is greater and the air closer than in suburban districts. 

It will be noticed, as a rule, by the horse suddenly 
stopping and hanging his head ; he will throw his legs 
out sideways, as if he feared falling. Frequently the ani- 
mal will fall and die without a struggle. Again, it will 
only be accompanied by exhaustion. The horse generally 
perspires very freely. If there is no perspiration, the skin 
is just the opposite, a dry, burning effect, almost so hot 
that the hand can hardly rest on it with comfort. When 
allowed to rest, he will keep his nose very near the 
ground. His veins are swollen and the nostrils dilated. 

Bathe his head and neck |in cold water, broken ice 
tied between the ears, and inject into the rectum.soap 
and warm water. Rub the legs well, and if he becomes 
insensible, or appears to be getting so, apply mustard to 
his sides and legs. If the pulse gets too low, give half a 
pint of whisky every thirty minutes for a couple of 
hours. 

There is nothing that will ward off sunstroke so 
well as Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts 
Condition Powder, if fed reglarly. The horse will be 
kept in perfect condition, his digestion good, his bowels 



178 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

regular and his blood pure, and, consequently, he will 
not be susceptible to sunstroke. 

Simply giving them regularly, according to direc- 
tions, would save thousands of horses yearly from sun- 
stroke in the large cities. 

However, according to our note on page 119, we 
mention another remedy : One drachm of pulverized 
opium ; one drachm of pulverized carbonate of ammo- 
nia ; two drachms of charcoal ; eight ounces of ale ; 
mixed well, and given as a drench. 



SWELLING OF THE SHEATH. 

This often arises from a run-down condition of the 
animal. Sometimes it is caused by the wound being 
closed too soon after castration, and in that case it should 
be opened and fresh lard rubbed on and bathed freely 
every three-quarters of an hour or so with warm water. 

If the penis cannot be drawn backward and forward 
freely, or should the opening be too small, it may be 
necessary to slightly cut the sheath to allow free action, 
and then bathe freely with cold water from time to 
time. If it occurs from a run-down condition, Pratts 
Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts Condition 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 179 

Powder, by being fed in regular doses, will rapidly and 
permanently put the horse in first-class condition by 
regulating the blood, bowels and digestive organs. 



WARTY GROWTHS 

or tumorous growths on the sheath can be clipped off 
with scissors, and dipped with caustic to prevent bleed- 
ing. The same thing should be done with hardening 
growths on the end of the penis. 



WORMS. 

A horse is frequently attacked by worms when he 
is in apparently good condition. They can be readily de- 
tected by the following symptoms : Rubbing of tail 
against the stall, lifting of upper lip, rubbing nose 
against the manger or wall and constantly switching 
tail. A yellow mucus will be noticed around the anus, 
the appetite at times is ravenous, again very poor ; the 
horse becomes thin and emaciated. The bowels are fre- 
quently too loose or the horse is greatly constipated. 
His coat becomes dry and the hair turns the wrong way. 



180 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 

Often there is mucus passing through the bowels and 
noticed in the manure. Frequently the symptoms are 
accompanied by a hacking cough : in some cases the 
horse becomes pot-bellied and breath offensive. 



THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF WORMS. 

They are known as follows : The round rectal worm ; 
the long thread worm, found in the rectum ; the round, 
large, thick worm, found in the kidneys and bladder> 
which is about an inch to an inch and one-half thick, 
and from ten inches to three feet or more in length ; the 
tape worm, in the intestines ; the pin worm, about one 
inch long, pointed both ends ; the round worm, averag- 
ing from four inches to three feet long ; the long, round 
worm, from seven to nine inches long and about as thick 
as a pencil, that infest the small intestines, frequently 
in great quantities. 

Bots feed on the liquid nutriment from the feed, 
multiplying in such quantities as to retard digestion. 
They also hang to the lining of the stomach in large 
bunches. They remain with the horse during the au- 
tumn, winter and spring months, or until fully grown. 
Frequently they become bunched at either end of the 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 181 

stomach, causing an obstruction, which, if not properly 
treated, eventually kills the animal. 

If a horse has worms, Pratts Specially Prepared 
Worm Powder will positively rid him of them and 
quickly build him up healthy and robust. If he does 
not pass worms, you can rest assured there are no worms 
there, and the horse should have other treatment, a tonic 
like Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or Pratts 
Condition Powder, the greatest of animal regulators. 

Give one dose of the Powder with the feed twice a 
day for four days. Cut down feed one-half, mix bran 
with feed and dampen it. After fourth day give large, 
soft, well-scalded bran mash to loosen bowels freely. 
Repeat the bran mashes if necessary, as the bowels must 
be moved freely * Should the horse refuse to eat the 
bran mash, it will be necessary to give him a dose of 
Glauber Salts, or some other purge, to loosen the bowels. 

Sometimes pin worms remain just inside the rectum 
and are very hard and stubborn to cure. 

In cases of this kind, if the desired result is not ob- 
tained by feeding Pratts Worm Powder, dissolve one of 
the powders in a quart of water and inject into the rectum. 

Repeat this once a day in the evening and continue 
for 4 or 5 days. 

Do not fail in this case, as in all other cases of 



182 PRATTS POINTERS, ON THE HORSE 

worms, to feed bran mashes, until the bowels are freely 
moved, and should the horse refuse the bran mash or 
should it fail to move the bowels, give the horse a dose 
of Glauber Salts. 



RHEUMATISM. 

This is caused by an irregular condition of the 
blood, and is accompanied by stiffness, lameness and 
fever. The pain usually will be found to leave one joint 
and appear in the corresponding one on the opposite 
side. The disease can generally be detected by sudden 
lameness and in some cases by inflammation. A swell- 
ing may appear in the loins, chest or in the fetlock, 
stifle or hock joints. The pulse is hard and the mouth 
warm and devoid of moisture. If possible, the horse 
should be put in a sling in a box stall, and raised enough 
to take weight off the limbs. Bathe freely with Pratts 
Veterinary L<iniment once a day without rubbing. Give 
internally Pratts Food, Pratts Animal Regulator or 
Pratts Condition Powder three times daily to purify the 
blood. Give a bran mash twice a week and green food 
once a day. These simple remedies will quickly cure even 
the most stubborn case of rheumatism. However, as per 
our note on page 119, we mention another remedy. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 183 

Apply the following liniment on the affected parts : 
Compound soap liniment, sixteen fluid ounces ; liquor 
ammonia, two fluid ounces ; tincture of cantharides, two 
fluid ounces ; tincture of opium, two fluid ounces. Mix. 

Bandage the legs clear up to body, and give inter- 
nally the following ball : — 

Powdered colchicum, two drachms ; iodide of potas- 
sium, one drachm. Mix into pill mass with molasses. 
Apply liniment, and give pill every morning until horse 
is better. 

Two drachms of salycilate of soda given twice a day, 
mixed with the feed, will also be found of advantage. 

the KND. 



INDEX. 



PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE. 



Aphtha 121 

Arabian Horse * . . 107 

Balky Horses, Breaking 69 

Bart, The no 

Belgian Horse 112 

Big Head 122 

Bloody Urine 123 

Breaking and Training Colts.. 58 

Breaking to Halter and Bit... 59 

Breast Collar 27 

Breeching 26 

Breeding 44 

Breeding Ages 48 

Breeding of Horses 107 

Breeds, Selection of 45 

Breeding Stock, Inferior 96 

Breeding the Trotter 97 

Bridle, The 26 

Bronchitis 145 

Brood Mare 45 

Brood Stallion 47 

Button Farcy 125 

Canadian Horse 112 

Canker and its Treatment 79 

Capped Elbow 92 

Capped Hock 93 

Carriage House 28 

Castration Faulty 138 

Chewing the Bridle, How to 

Prevent 103 

Choking 126 

Cleaning the Feet 73 

Cleveland Bay 109 

Clipping and Singeing 104 

Clothing 105 

Clydesdale Horse in 

Colds 127 

Colic, Acute 128 



Colic, Wind 129 

Color of Horses 10 

Colt, Exercising the 55 

Colt, Feeding and Weaning... 55 

Colt's Feet 63, 73 

Colt, How to Keep Healthy... 57 

" Stabling the 54 

" The 54 

Contracted Feet 83 

Cooked Food 32 

Corn Chambers 21 

Corns, How to Prevent 79 

Cough, Chronic 129 

Cribbing 130 

" How to Cure 102 

Crupper 26 

Diseases of Horses 119 

Distemper 130 

Doors and Windows, Arrange- 
ment of 17 

Drainage 16 

Dropsy 132 

Dysentery, Acute 134 

in Colts 135 

Ears, Good and Bad 9 

Epilepsy 134 

Epizootic 151 

Eyes, Good and Bad 9 

False Quarter 82 

Feeding and Watering 28 

" Best Time for 33 

Fever 138 

Fistulous Withers 141 

Flooring for Stable 18 

Foaling 51 

Foods, Different Kinds of.... 29 

" Vegetable 33 

French Coach Horse 114 



INDEX 



Frog, The 71 

Glanders 142 

Green Food 30 

Grooming 103 

Grubs in the Skin 143 

Hackney, The 108 

Harness, Care of 23 

Galls 88 

Harnessing 25 

Harness Room 23 

Harness Soap 23 

Haunch, Common and Thor- 
oughbreds 10 

Hay Cutters 32 

" How to Buy and Feed... 31 

" Mows 21 

*" Racks 20 

Healthy Mares and Stallions, 

Pratts Food for 53 

Heaves 144 

Hide-bound 143 

Hoofs, Good and Bad 10 

Horn Tumors 85 

Hot Water for Inflamed Feet.. 75 

Horse's Foot, Parts of 70 

Hunter, The 113 

Impotency 5° 

In-and-in-Breeding 50 

Indian Pony 114 

Inflammation of Air Passages. 145 

" Eyes 147 

" Kidneys 148 

" " Stomach 147 

" " Testicles 150 

Influenza 1 5 * 

Jaw, Appearance of 98 

" Injuries to 153 

Kicking in the Stall 66 

While Shoeing 67 

Knee-sprung, How to Treat... 93 

Knuckling and its Treatment.. 95 

Lameness 89 

H in the Joints 89 

" " Knee Joints 91 

" " Shoulder 90 

.Laminitis 84 



Lampas 153 

Leg, a Good 10 

Leucorrhcea 154 

Lice 155 

Lock- Jaw 155 

Loins of a Good Horse 8 

Mad Staggers 170 

Mallenders and Sallenders. . . . 157 
Mane, a Good 11 

" and Tail, Care of 10 1 

Mangers 20 

Mange or Stable Itch 157 

Manure, How to Treat and Use 43 

" Pump 43 

Shed 40 

Value of 37 

Mare and Colt, Care of 52 

" in Foal 49-5 1 

Medicine, How to Give 106 

Meningitis, Spinal 161 

Milk, How to Produce 53 

Morgan Horse 109 

Mouth, Injuries to 153 

" Tender 101 

Mule, The 116 

" Care of 118 

Mules, Breaking and Training. 117 

" For Army Use 118 

" How to Breed 116 

Nailing Shoe 77 

Norman 111 

Nose Bag 126 

Origin of Horses 6 

Overdriving 159 

Pacer, The 115 

Paces of Horses 11 

Paddock 42 

Paralysis of the Eye 162 

" Partial 160 

Parts of the Horse 7 

Pasterns, Good and Bad 9 

Pawing in the Stall 102 

Percheron 113 

Pleurisy 163 

Pneumonia 164 

Poisoning 165 



INDEX 



Poll Evil 166 

Pratts Remedies 34 

" Composition of 120 

" How to Feed. 120 
" " Value of, for 

Horses 119 

Prurigo 167 

Pulling on Halter 67 

Pumice Foot, How to Treat... 81 

Quittor 83 

Ringworm 1 68 

Rheumatism 182 

Roaring 169 

Runner, The 115 

Running Away Habit 68 

Rupture 170 

Saddle 26 

Salt 35 

Sand Crack 85 

Scours 134 

Scratches 171 

Seedy Toe 81 

Sheath, Swelling of 178 

Shetland Pony 114 

Shire, The in 

Shoe Boil 92 

Shoeing and Care of Feet.... 70 

Shoeing the Colt 75 

" " Horse 75 

Shying 63 

Sore Throat 172 

Spinal Meningitis 161 

Sprains in Tendons 91 

Stable Hints 38 

" Necessities 22 

" Yard, illustrated and de- 
scribed 39 

" Exterior Plans of 14 

" How to Build 13 

" Interior, Plans of 15 

w Proper Location of 12 



Stable, Size of .,.., »»..»»»» * 13 

Staggers 175 

Stalls, How to Make Comforta- 
ble 105 

Stalls, illustrated and described 19 

Sunstroke 177 

Sutures 86 

Swelled Leg, How Treat 94 

Tail of Well-bred Horse 8 

Tank for Water Supply 41 

Teeth 97 

Bad 121 

" How to Tell Age by.. 99- 100 

Thoroughbreds, American 115 

" English no 

Thrush, and its Treatment 78 

Traces 26 

Training to Wagon ». 62 

Tread and Overreach 83 

Trotter, The 115 

Trough for Stable Yard 42 

Uretha, Spasm of the 174 

Urinating, Excess in 135 

Ventilation 21 

Vicious Horses, How to Break 64 

Wall of Foot 72 

Warty Growths 179 

Water Supply 22 

Tank, for Stalls 36 

" When and How to 35 

Wash Floor 40 

Wild Horses 6 

Womb, Inflammation of 154 

Worms 179-180 

Wounds, Abraded 88 

" and Lameness 85 

" Contused 88 

" Incised S7 

" Lacerated 86 

" Punctured 88 

Yorkshire Bay ,....,.,,,,,»., 109 



Join 

Pratts Correspondence School of Poultry-Keeping 

Just Think of this Offer ! 

We mail a full, complete lecture every week for three months 
prepared by the highest and most learned authorities on poultry, and 
written in an interesting way. No college education is necessary to 
grasp the meaning, which is the case in so many schools of this kind. 
We offer this Correspondence Course to the users of Pratts Food and 
Veterinary Remedies for the nominal charge of 

$3.00 for Full Course 

and a coupon, which we place in every package of our goods. 

Our course of lectures is better and more complete than the regu- 
lar $25.00 and $35.00 courses. 

This unusually low price does not pay us for preparing the lec- 
tures, let alone the other expenses necessary in conducting a Cor- 
respondence School of the highest standard. However, we are willing 
to bear this expense in order to give to the hundreds of thousands 
of consumers of our products throughout the United States and 
Europe 

A Practical Correspondence Course 

on this most interesting subject of Poultry-Keeping, as we feel in this 
manner we can greatly benefit a large number of poultry-owners in 
all parts of the world. 

This Correspondence Course in Poultry-Keeping is offered by the 
Pratt Food Co. , of Philadelphia, who for more than thirty years have 
been making and selling Pratts Poultry Food and Pratts Food for 
Horses and Cattle. You can rely on the information given in these 
Instructions as being absolutely accurate in every detail, and full of 
just the exact information necessary for profitable poultry-raising. 

$2.00 for a Course Worth $35.00 

It is the usual custom to charge anywhere from $25.00 to $35.00 
for a correspondence course of this kind, but we give this instruction 



almost absolutely free to the users of Pratt Food Company's products, 
and feel sure that not a single owner of poultry in the United States 
will let this opportunity pass to gain a complete knowledge of this 
highly interesting and profitable business for the moderate tuition fee 

of $2.00. 

Remember 

Pratts Correspondence School of Poultry-Keeping instructs you 
thoroughly in every detail how to handle poultry from the egg to the 
table. It shows complete working plans for poultry houses, runs and 
yards ; how to keep poultry healthy ; descriptions of all recognized 
breeds ; how to run an incubator, and in fact every subject which is 
of interest and profit to the poultry-owner. 

This is one of the rarest opportunities ever offered to poultry 
people, and we know that every user of Pratt Food Company's prod- 
ucts will be quick to take advantage of this unusual offer at this 
unusual price. 

PRATT FOOD COMPANY, 

Philadelphia, Pa. 






APR 29 19C5 



W PI 85 il 



A large number of our readers will, no doubt, be desirous 
to know in a general way, all the advantages of Pratts Food. 
We, therefore, submit below in a few lines, the merit it pos- 
sesses when fed to horses. 



What 

Pratts Food 
will do 

for Horses! 



Pratts Food for Horses 

It regulates the bowels, blood, liver, and 
digestive organs, and, consequently, it 
builds up run down horses, restores lost 
appetite, prevents and cures pink eye, dis- 
temper, heaves, colds, colic, hide bound, 
eruptions of the skin, kidney troubles, lung 
fever, exhaustion, expels worms, grubs 
and botts, and is a preventive against con- 
tagious diseases. It makes the coat glossy 
and shed nicely. It produces bone, muscle 
ard better staying powers. Improves the 
wnd, and its action on the blood helps 
scratches to heal quickly. 

Pratts Food for Hares 

Mares in foal, up to the time of foaling, 
aid afterwards, will be greatly beneritted 
by feeding Pratts Food. It will keep them 
healthy and produce a free flow of milk of 
a good quality. The foal will be strong 
and robust, and both mare and foal will 
thrive and show improvements that cannot 
possibly be produced by any other method. 
It will pay to give it a trial. 



Pratts Food for Colts 

Colts will grow strong quickly, and free 
from scours and all disease, if fed Pratts 
Food. 

Pratts Food for Stallions 

Stallions will largely repay the feeding 
of Pratts Food, especially during the stand- 
ing season. Their service will be surer, 
and their general health the best, even 
under the most trying circumstances. 

Why Pratts Food Cures 

By regulating the seat of all disease? — 
the Dowels, blood and digestive organs — it 
thoroughly renovates the system, thereby 
driving out all disease, and making the ani- 
mal strong and healthy. 

Remember, it is a mild, stimulative tonic 
and regulator, composed of roots, herbs 
and barks, and is free from all poisons and 
chemicals of every kind. On the direction 
circular in every package is our affidavit 
guaranteeing its purity and freeness from 
everything injurious. 



For Dairy Cows, Standing Bulls, Calves, Hogs, Sheep, it has no equal. 
Pratts Poultry Food is a guaranteed Egg Producer and Regulator. Pratts. 
Pointers on Hogs, Cows and Sheep and Pratts Poultry Pointers, are the 
most successful books ever written on the subjects. 





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